While Newtown, Connecticut, is considered small-town America, it is not far from New York City and many in the city have ties to the town. One of those high-profile names is actress Jenna von Oy. Von Oy may be best known for her role as the best friend of the title character on 1990s sitcom Blossom. She currently writes a blog for People magazine and expressed her grief through their website.
“My family still lives in Newtown and, in my heart of hearts, I still consider myself one of its residents. My attachment is deep-rooted,” she said. “We are mourning the loss of some of our own this week, and it is a sobering reminder that violence does not discriminate. It can hit close to home.”
The actress has done just a few parts in the last few years because she has been more focused on her home life recently.
“I graduated from Newtown High School, got married two years ago in a bed and breakfast on its Main Street, and recently had my daughter christened at St. Rose, where the vigil was held Friday evening. Newtown is the foundation of my history and it holds a very special place in my heart,” von Oy wrote. “As I watched President Obama's press conference, I sobbed as he mentioned that the children who died had their whole lives ahead of them: graduations, weddings, having children of their own … I have celebrated every one of those milestones in Newtown.”
While von Oy admitted she was in mourning, she attempted to put her thoughts down as clearly as possible, showing her love for the town.
“It is nearly impossible to unscramble my thoughts and put them to paper at a time like this, but I wanted to express my love and support for the town that has given me so many wonderful memories,” she said. “Moreover, I share the overwhelming grief of the families affected by this tragedy. As a parent, I don't know how to make sense of it, and I am hugging my daughter that much tighter tonight because of it. No parent should ever have to experience a loss such as this one. It is unspeakable, and there is nothing fair about it.
“There aren't enough prayers to ease their pain, but I'm giving it all I've got, regardless. It is all I have to give, and I hope you'll join me. Beyond that, there are no words.”
Von Oy recently completed filming of Lukewarm, a film about a man trying to find his way back to his Christian life.