Crime & Safety

Mom to Students: Show Kindness in Memory of Slain 21-Year-Old

Alisha Bromfield was pregnant with a baby girl when she died in August 2012. Her mother, Sherry Anicich, recently gifted Holy Family students with purple rosaries in her honor.

Alisha Bromfield was 21 years old and more than six months pregnant with a daughter, who was to be named Ava Lucille, when she was killed last summer.

Now, her mother, Sherry Anicich, is trying to create something positive in the wake of the tragedy.

Recently, Anicich delivered handmade rosaries to all of the students at Holy Family Parish School in Shorewood. Family friend Christine McGovern has asked Patch to publish Anicich's letter to the children as she works to spread kindness and love in memory of her daughter and unborn granddaughter:

"These purple rosaries are given to you today in memory of Alisha and Ava Bromfield-Anicich. The rosaries are handmade and a lot of time and effort went into making these beautiful rosaries. A group of women in Hinsdale started making rosaries for soldiers, people who are sick in hospitals, the poor and anyone in need of prayer and encouragement. 1,000 rosaries have been given in memory of Alisha and Ava.

Alisha was a graduate of Holy family. She made many lifelong friends here. Alisha always cared about people and never treated anyone badly. If she saw someone being left out she was always the one to ask them to join their group. She was a true example of how Jesus told us to treat other.

I want to give you these rosaries in memory of everyone who has suffered the loss of a love one. Some of you have lost grandparents, parents and siblings. Know that they are in heaven and watching over you. The rosaries for me have been my strength and courage to get over the death of my daughter. It just represents the courage the blessed mother showed after her son was crucified. Courage is not an easy virtue to practice. This is why we need someone to show us true spiritual courage. The one person who can do this is the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our lady doesn’t try to save Jesus at the cross. She doesn’t try to bribe the Roman soldiers. Instead she remains silent, kneeling before her Son. I call this courage, a spiritual courage that only comes from following the cross.

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When you are faced with a difficult circumstance or situation turn to Our Lady of Courage. She will teach you the real meaning of courage—a courage that is pleasing to heaven, a courage that will bring down graces upon this world and courage that will transform hearts and souls.

It takes courage to be patient or to show kindness, goodness or faithfulness. My daughter showed courage. I ask that this summer call someone from class that you normally wouldn’t. Show kindness to your brother or sister. Go do something for your community. Help the homeless or to help clean up Gods beautiful earth. What matter the most in life is how we spend our time here on Earth. God Bless you and have a wonderful summer."

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Brian Cooper, 36, of Plainfield, is scheduled to go on trial this month in the death of Bromfield, a Joliet Catholic Academy graduate.

Cooper is accused of strangling Bromfield after the two attended a wedding in Door County, Wisconsin.

Jury selection is scheduled to take place June 14, according to the Door  County Daily NewsThe trial is set to begin June 17.


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