Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 18, 1990 TAG: 9006180081
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Stamford Advocate
DATELINE: NORWALK, CONN. LENGTH: Medium
Since she will be groomless on the day she had planned to wed - her fiance had second thoughts in April - she chose to spend the day with the homeless.
"Why waste a good party?" asked Gooley, a 41-year-old physician recruiter who works for Weatherby Health Care in Norwalk, Conn.
When Gooley learned she could not cancel her reception at Canongate Caterers in Norwalk, she vowed to make the best of a bad situation.
"I won't dread the day now. I've gone through the anger and depression and there will at least be something worthwhile on that day," said the Darien, Conn., mother of three.
The seeds of her decision were sown some 23 years ago, when Gooley suddenly found herself homeless for two nights. Her first marriage was on the skids and she was not on speaking terms with her parents. As a consequence, Gooley and her 2-month-old baby spent one night at the Salvation Army in Port Chester, N.Y., and another at Corpus Christi Church there.
Gooley said that she always intended to someday return the hospitality. Saturday will be that day.
As many as 118 people will be treated to a sit-down dinner served on china and fine napery and including hors d'oeuvres, chicken, tossed salad, vegetables, potato, coffee and dessert. No alcohol will be served.
Stamford police officer Michael Docimo, known in local circles as the Doo-Wop Cop, will accept requests from his 1,500 record collection.
Gooley was engaged to marry a Brookfield psychologist she had known for about two years. It was to be her third marriage, his first.
When the would-be groom changed his mind, Gooley was left with an antique wedding gown, lots of brocade bridesmaids dresses and deposits spread all over town for flowers, liquor, a photographer, a harpist, and a horse and carriage to seat 12 of the 18-member wedding party.
At first, she just wanted to cancel the reception.
Gooley sought a refund of the $5,800 the couple had plunked down for a 200-guest wedding with all the trimmings, but she and Canongate owner Ginger Sollazzo failed to agree on how much was due.
So, Gooley was stuck with 118 chicken dinners. She decided to throw the party and invite "people who could really use a celebration."
by CNB