Editor’s Note: This is part one of two stories spotlighting the life and tragic loss of Melissa Vertidi. Melissa Vertidi died a tragic death while she was being cared for at Amethyst Her House, the only women’s sober living facility on the island.
On July 22, 2021, Melissa Vertidi of Haverstraw, Rockland County, died at the age of 27 after falling unconscious at Amethyst House on Staten Island. (Courtesy of Anita Newell)
STATEN ISLAND, NY — The family of Melissa Bertidi, 27, who passed away at Amethyst House in July 2021 and subsequently died, said she was a “great mother” with a “big heart” and a passion for the arts. I said yes. and nature.
Vertidi of Haverstraw, County Rockland, was recovering and had a fresh start in life when she died at Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton on July 22, 2021, according to her family. I was.
Vertidi’s cause of death is listed as “unknown,” but the coroner said the cause of death was “multidrug intoxication.” That is despite the fact that her death came when Vertidi was taking only prescription drugs, not illegal drugs.
As the family continues to search for answers as to how Vertidi died during treatment, amethyst house At Port Richmond, we don’t want our beloved daughter and sister to be defined by their addictions.
“She was a wonderful mother,” said Vertidi’s mother, Anita Newell, who declined to put her granddaughter’s name on Advance/SILive.com. She said, “The way she treated her daughter was very positive. She never gave her daughter anything negative about her. I thought it was beautiful.” .”
Amethyst House closed last year. Multiple whistleblowers previously told Advance/SILive.com that the 40-plus-year-old safe haven for women seeking sobriety has become a home of distrust and neglect over the past few years, leading to inappropriate behavior. He said he claimed control, lack of medication, and loss of trust.
Camelot on Staten Island said it plans to reopen the facility under new leadership.
“Through the rift”
Years before arriving at Amethyst House, Vertidi received the help she needed with issues Newell attributed to her daughter’s childhood sexual abuse. did not.
“She always overlooked it,” Newell said. “She was not receiving proper mental health care.”
Instead of getting the talk therapy and other help she needed to overcome her problems, Vertidi cycled through various mental health and drug addiction programs where she was prescribed over-prescription pills, Newell said. argued. Over time, Vertidi became dependent on prescription drugs and street drugs, including opioids and sedatives.
“All treatments are tablets, this is [some medical professionals’] Answer everything instead of trying to find the root of this problem,” Newell said. “When you’re drugged, you’re in a fog.”
Vertidi learned how to manipulate doctors and other providers to obtain drugs to cure her addiction, her mother said.
“She knew what to say to get what she wanted when she actually went to these people,” Newell said of doctors and other providers. I don’t know how many meds she was on at one time it was so bad she kept trying to get off the meds she went to another treatment center and said ‘I need this meds’ They said. It was just a circle. ”
“I miss her daughter terribly.”
Newell had to speak quietly, as Vertidi’s grade-school daughter was taking singing lessons in a nearby bedroom.
“Her daughter misses her so much.
Vertidi was a woman who “had a big heart” and was “very caring and loving,” said sister Jacqueline Zabrowski. “She was a wonderful mother and friend.”
A Chinese lantern and a Chinese lantern are seen at a memorial service held to mark the first anniversary of the death of Melissa Vertidi, 27, of Haverstraw, Rockland County, after she collapsed at Amethyst House in Staten Island on July 22, 2021. A balloon was released. (Courtesy of Anita Newell)
The 27-year-old mother enjoyed painting with her daughter and taking her children to fun events such as fairs, said Kristi Bertidi, Bertidi’s other sister. rice field.
An amateur photographer who captures artistic images, Vertidi said he loved attending electric light festivals and freestyle dancing with friends.
According to her family, Vertidi was able to maintain a child-like ability to see the good in everyone and everything even into adulthood.
“free spirit”
“Anyone who has met Melissa has found her to be a free spirit, an open-minded thinker who never criticizes anyone she comes across.” her obituary said. “She was outspoken and passionate and loved music and creativity. Melissa always saw the good in people and raised her daughter with that same open-mindedness, positivity and strength.”
Christie Vertidi, who was a month away from turning 16 when her sister was born, said: She didn’t realize how smart she was. She didn’t know her, and she never gave herself enough credit. ”
On July 22, 2021, Melissa Vertidi of Haverstraw, Rockland County, died at the age of 27 after falling unconscious at Amethyst House in Staten Island. This is her one of her baby pictures. (Courtesy of Anita Newell)
Vertidi, who was a premature baby, “had to struggle at the beginning of her life,” which probably gave her strength, Christie Vertidi said.
Vertidi grew up in Congers, Rockland County and attended Lakewood Elementary School and Clarkstown North High School. Her parents divorced when she was a child.
“She was like my little sidekick,” said Zabrowski, who is about 11 years older than Melissa. “I took her everywhere.”
Melissa “was a quirky, adorable girl who loved to draw and paint, and liked to ride her bike,” Zabrowski recalls.
“I always thought of her as this little fairy,” added Zabrowski. ”
Melissa Vertidi of Haverstraw, Rockland County was about 4 years old when this photo was taken. (Courtesy of Anita Newell)
Alan Veltidi remembers the idyllic days spent at Lavallette on the New Jersey coast when his late daughter was a little girl. He said she seemed free to swim in the sea and hang out with her many friends on the beach.
Vertidi dabbled in learning how to play the piano and violin with tutoring from her stepmother, Janice Vertidi. Alan Veltidi said he remembers helping his daughter with many school projects, including one based on a fictional book about what would happen if rats swarmed Staten’s island. rice field.
Over the years, Vertidi has attended many treatment programs for her problems, but none have been able to achieve peace of mind, let alone long-term recovery.
“She didn’t want to be herself,” Newell said of her daughter. never knew it.Everyone who met her loved her.She was a beautiful young woman.”
On July 22, 2021, Melissa Vertidi of Haverstraw, Rockland County, died at the age of 27 after falling unconscious at Amethyst House in Staten Island. (Courtesy of Anita Newell)
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