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NOVEMBER 2023
BE SMART, GET RINEHARDT Rinehardt Law | RinehardtLawFirm.com | 419-LAW-2020 When embarking on the venture to establish the Rinehardt Law Firm, Hillary and I dreamt of finding an employee endowed with a strong work ethic, compassion, dependability, intelligence, and team spirit. Little did we know that our dream would come true in the form of one extraordinary individual: Patti Basilone. From her first day with us in 2001 until her untimely passing on Oct. 12, 2023, Patti was more than our office manager — she was the emotional cornerstone of our firm. With unwavering enthusiasm, dedication, and a profound commitment to our clients, she set an unparalleled standard for excellence. Throughout her two decades at Rinehardt Law Firm, Patti witnessed the graduations of her children, celebrated becoming a grandmother to four wonderful grandchildren, and mourned the loss of her mother and sister. Amidst life’s ups and downs, her enduring compassion never wavered. As the poet Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Anyone fortunate enough to have known Patti can attest to the indelible mark she left on our hearts. Her care was not a mere courtesy; it was a deep-seated kindness that emanated from her very soul. The atmosphere turned tense on Thursday morning at 8:05 a.m. when we noticed Patti’s absence, with no text message to let us know she would be late. Our worst fears were realized when we discovered she had passed away unexpectedly overnight. We grieve not just for a colleague but for a friend whose presence can never be replaced. Our hearts go out to Patti’s family — her husband, children, and grandchildren — for whom the loss is immeasurable. Though we can no longer find solace in her corner office, Patti’s spirit continues to guide us. Her genuine care, serenity, and wisdom have become intrinsic elements of our firm’s culture. They shape who we are and inform what we strive to achieve each day. We would like to express the gratitude we perhaps did not voice often enough: Thank you, Patti, for who you were, how you served, and the incredible impact you’ve made on all of our lives.
THE HEART AND SOUL OF RINEHARDT LAW FIRM A TRIBUTE TO PATTI BASILONE
– John Rinehardt
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Some of Our Favorite Memories of Patti
Hillary: Patti was more than just a colleague; she was a cherished friend, confidante, and beacon of authenticity in our lives. Genuineness was Patti’s hallmark. When you spoke to her, you knew you had her full attention. She had an incredible ability to make you feel heard, understood, and valued. No matter the circumstance, Patti always had the right words and a comforting presence that made her the first person you’d want to share your news with, be it joyous or heartbreaking. Patti was also a guiding force. She possessed the remarkable ability to be forthright and honest in a gentle way. If she disagreed with how you were handling a situation or reacting to it, she would hold up a mirror to help you see more clearly. She did this not as a critic but as a friend who genuinely cared about your well-being. Patti was, in essence, a moral compass and advisor to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Patti was not just a colleague; she was family, a friend like no other, and for that, we are eternally grateful. Rest in peace, dear Patti. Your genuine spirit and unwavering friendship will be treasured and missed, but your influence will continue to guide us on our journey.
Rachel: Patti was the rock of our firm, and to me, she was family. Her kindness, unwavering support, and sense of humor touched all of us deeply. Patti had a unique ability to make you feel cared for and important. She was a source of strength and compassion for everyone in her life. Whenever you needed someone to lean on or a reason to smile, Patti was there. Her dedication to our firm and to our extended work family was unparalleled. Patti’s legacy of warmth and resilience will forever be a part of our firm’s history. Patti, you are deeply missed. Barb: I worked with Patti for 25 years, and through it all, she was forever kind and supportive of whatever I needed. I started out with no office experience whatsoever, and she patiently taught me everything I needed to know to have a career working in law firms. I owe her so much; my life would have taken a completely different course without her. I miss her so much … Thank you for being my friend, Patti! Stephanie: The ways in which I admired Patti are numerous: her dedication to the law firm, her great skill set and knowledge of law, and her kindness, generosity, and sense of humor. Yet out of all the ways that I will miss her, I would have to say that I will mostly miss the hat she wore as a workplace counselor. Patti’s office contained one comfy side chair, and it would not be unusual to walk by her office and see a coworker sitting there, sharing their life — and often their life’s problems too. We often joked that the first person to get to the chair in the morning wins, as a few minutes with Patti in the morning was always the best way to start our day. Patti had a unique way of seeming to understand all of us, and no matter how busy she was, she was never too busy to lend a listening ear. Patti was not only my coworker, but also my friend and some days my counselor too. She is truly irreplaceable, and I’m honored to have worked with her for the last nine years. Carrie: Patti would ask how the kids were doing and was genuinely interested when I would share struggles or accomplishments. She offered words of advice, and I tried many of her suggestions at home and work. One memory of Patti is that she wanted to make everyone
Melanie: In the nine, too-short years that I knew Patti, she was my sage advisor, trusted sounding board, sympathetic listener, inside-joke partner, and dearest friend. Together, we shared many laughs and tears, and it is impossible to sum up in just a few lines what she meant to me. So, instead, I will share the message that Patti so often repeated and the principle that guided her life: Empathy is the most important quality for human beings to possess. Through empathy, we learn to understand, accept, forgive, and love each other. There is no better example of empathy personified than our Patti. I am a better person for having known her and loved her, and I will treasure her always.
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feel special on their birthday and would stop and get donuts for the staff if it was someone’s birthday. I remember on my birthday this year, as we had a lot of August birthdays, she said she thought she’d get pizza instead of donuts for my birthday since we had recently had a lot of sweets. Plus, she knew that I love pizza! She was always so thoughtful and genuinely cared about each person who walked through these doors.
Faith: My favorite memory of Patti was the day she found a bat in the planter in her office. She screamed and came running down
the hall yelling for someone to get it out. Even after I took it outside, it was quite a while before we could convince her it was safe to go back into her office. She finally did, of course, but the poor little planter was banished forever! Beth: Patti was a calm, level-headed, knowledgeable, wise, and kind coworker who was our “go-to” person whenever we were faced with unusual situations or circumstances. She was a wealth of knowledge. Hannah: My favorite thing about Patti was her welcoming comfort and wisdom. Although I was only
back here for a short while with her, every day, there would be several people walking down the hall to Patti to pick her brain, whether it was work-related or not. She always had a lending ear. Courtney: When I first started at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, Patti introduced herself to me as “the office grandma,” and she certainly lived up to that title. If I had a question that no one else could answer, we all knew that Patti would know it, and if she didn’t, she would find out for us anyway. She was very patient, kind, and always willing to help. I only knew Patti for a few months, but she made such an impact, and we are all going to miss her dearly. Avery: I quickly realized knowing Patti in any capacity was a gift. Her door was open to anyone who needed it, whether you sought answers to a problem, advice, or just a listening ear. I wish I had the pleasure of knowing her longer, but in the sorrow felt with her passing, it’s clear that forever wouldn’t have been long enough.
DIRECTIONS
Thanksgiving was Patti’s favorite holiday. She always hosted her family and enjoyed making a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Her family especially enjoyed her Sauerbraten, which makes a flavorful addition to the usual fare. Plus, you make it in the slow cooker, saving room in the oven! INGREDIENTS • 2 lbs cubed beef stew meat • 1 cup chopped onion • 1 cup beef broth • 1 cup red wine vinegar • 2 bay leaves • 3 cups egg noodles • 3/4 cup crushed gingersnap cookies • 2 tbsp brown sugar • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1. Combine beef, onion, beef
broth, vinegar, and bay leaves in a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 7–9 hours. 3. Bring a large pot of lightly
salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite (about 4–5 minutes), then drain.
PATTI’S SAUERBRATEN BEEF IN GINGERSNAP GRAVY
4. Remove bay leaves from
beef mixture; stir in crushed gingersnaps and brown sugar. Cook beef mixture on low until thickened, about 15 minutes. Serve sauerbraten over egg noodles and garnish with parsley.
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2404 Park Ave. W., Mansfield, OH 44906 419-LAW-2020 BeSmartLegal.com
INSIDE THIS EDITION
1 Paying Tribute to Patti Basilone 2 Some of Our Favorite Memories of Patti 3 Patti’s Sauerbraten Beef in Gingersnap Gravy 4 Come Get a Free Turkey!
7TH ANNUAL THANKS-GIVE-AWAY We are looking forward to putting turkeys (and pies) on tables again this year for those families in our community who are facing adversity or hardship and need a helping hand. We will be giving away turkeys on a first-come, first-served
basis on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9–11 a.m. Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table, share a special meal, and give thanks. Rinehardt Injury Attorneys want every family in our community to have the opportunity to enjoy the holiday without financial stress. If you or someone you know needs a helping
hand, come and see us on the 18th! Follow us on Facebook for details.
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