2 Sisters Killed In Hamptons Fire Laid To Rest: 'We Are Shattered'

NOYAC, NY — Heartbroken family and friends gathered Monday for the funeral of two brothers who died in a tragic fire while visiting the Hamptons from Maryland on vacation. Although their faces were full of tears and at times, it was difficult to speak, those who shared memories shed light on the girls who touched thousands of hearts in their short lives.

The funeral was broadcast live from the Jewish Congregation of Washington, where Jillian and Lindsay Wiener's father, Lewis, is the president.

As in life, the two sisters were side by side, their caskets covered with blankets depicting their respective colleges.

Jillian, 21, and Lindsay, 19, fondly reminisced about the years of love they had shared with so many.

Rabbi Susan Shankman began by saying that all gathered had been called to this place and to this time by a tragedy beyond our control and understanding. love and gratitude in the face of our unspeakable loss and grief… choose to embrace the life, beauty and joy that these two beautiful souls brought us.”

The funeral was marked by deep emotion as young people, young in such terrible grief and dressed in black, wrapped their arms around each other for strength. Friends from Camp Seneca Lake read a poem. Rabbi Shankman shared memories of the girls.

“We each have a story, many stories,” he said. The sisters loved their family and loved each other. “It was a duo that just worked.”

From mani pedis to brunch, running errands and taking the train to New York together, the sisters shared an unbreakable bond between themselves and their brother Zach. The rabbi said their mother Alisa told her she was proud of her daughters, both activists, fighting for what was right.

Gillian was known for her adventurous spirit and Lindsay for her effervescence, they all agreed. “They both loved vacations and traveling the world, celebrating good things, laughing and loving each other,” Shankman said.

Gillian was independent and strong and planned to major in environmental science. She blossomed in a semester spent in Turks and Caicos, “doing her work with rocks, as Lew described it,” Shankman said. “She had a smile brighter than the sun, glowing with a love of the ocean, the beach, tanning, yoga, the environment.”

Her family said they were pretty sure her love of the environment was born from her favorite movie, “Finding Nemo” and her penchant for the character Mr. Ray in the 'Sing' movies.

Gillian, Shankman said, “went about her business without fanfare. .. she was indifferent to her academic honors, saying only to her father: “I have particles of intelligence.” And, he said, Gillian was tough. When an injury took her away from hockey, which she loved and defined her, she turned to yoga. She loved art and while she was perceptive, she gave those she loved her complete devotion. Not only adventurous, she was also “stupid,” Shankman said Zach told her.

Lindsay was remembered as diligent, always self-supporting with strength and a loving soul who loved birthdays and holidays and did everything she could to make those days special for those she loved — including the Wiener family tradition for cake and candies in the morning on birthdays, as well as balloons.

“Lindsey was a breath of fresh air,” the rabbi said. To her friends, she was careful and thoughtful. She and Zac had the same sense of humor, she said, and she was also deeply committed to her faith and to eradicating anti-Semitism.

A poem written by Rabbi Jeffrey Sirkman read, “God must weep, too,” he said.

The Wiener family, Shankman said, asked everyone in attendance to keep talking about their girls, sharing stories and memories.

Sami London remembered her friend Lindsay, especially the time they joined the varsity basketball team, mostly to hang out and not play the game. Once, when the. The team was up, the “bench warmers” got their “10 minutes of glory” and Lindsay hit a three-point shot. In perfect Lindsay spirit, the shot went in,” he said. “That was the only five minutes he played all season and the crowd went crazy. Lindsay's successes were everyone's successes. She had the kindest, most radiant soul in the world.”

Although numb and lost, London said she finds comfort in knowing her friend touched more people in 19 years than most people do in a lifetime.

“She shined brighter than anyone I know and has certainly given me enough laughter and love to keep me going,” London said.

Jillian's friend, Brittany Hunter, could barely speak through her sobs. “You always told me how proud you were of me,” she said. “You made me feel like I deserved a place in this world. I want you to know, forever, that I'm proud of you, of how many lives you've touched.”

The West family, longtime neighbors of the Wieners, stood before the crowd, their arms wrapped around each other, as son Eli spoke of a lifelong friendship marked by dinners together, summers at camp, trips to Target and Staples , snow days and movies. and cherished memories — and a friendship that grew stronger as the years passed. Both families had three children, two girls and a boy, each, and two sets of parents, he said.

“We always left each other with plans for next time,” she said. “We never had any reason to believe there wouldn't be a next time.”

From his girlfriend Lindsey, he remembered spending hours outside on Halloween too carrying the bag of candy, which she always said was too heavy. “I had you and you had me,” he said. “And that's how we planned to do life.”

Zach hugged his father for a long moment before walking over to speak, resting his hands on his brothers' coffins. “Thank you for making me a big brother,” he said. “Being your big brother is what I am and will forever be most proud of.”

She recalled “the joy I got from scaring your prom dates or jokingly telling you to wear more clothes when you go out.” He remembered the hysterical laughter, the inside jokes, the shared conversations. “Our connection went much deeper than siblings,” he said. “You two are my best friends and each of you have been my own person.”

She added: “The ache in my heart and my longing for you two knows no bounds, but I have been able to find solace in knowing that you have each other and hold hands like I used to hold mommy and daddy's hands . “

He told Lindsay he was sorry for the times he was grumpy and refused to go for a walk. “I'd do anything or one more ride with you.”

Zach spoke to each of his sisters, telling them how much they meant to him.

Lou then talked about his daughters. “We are devastated. Our hearts are broken.” His family finds great comfort, he said, in the outpouring of support from the community.

To Gillian he said: “You are my bottle of 2000 Bordeaux, the vintage of the century.” He described her fierce inner spirit and bright smile and the understanding they shared.

“Lindsay,” he said, “You're my champagne bottle. Pop the cork, baby, we're partying!” He described Lindsay as resourceful and effervescent, her bright plans for a future in New York.

On the night of the “horrible fire,” he said, they had all shared a wonderful dinner and before going to bed he had gone into the room where everyone was watching a movie. “Lindsay, I asked you to get up and give me a hug… You did, followed by a kiss on the cheek. You told me you loved me. I asked Jillian to get up and I gave you a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I told you that you I love and you told me you love me. I will always be blessed to know the last thing we said to each other was 'I love you,'” she said. “I will always feel the warmth of those hugs.”

The girls were sleeping in the house when the fire broke out.

According to Southampton Police, Lewis Wiener, 60, his wife Alisa, 52, and son Zachary, 23, and their daughters, were on vacation from Potomac, Maryland. The children were sleeping on the second floor at 3:35 a.m. when the fire broke out, and the parents were sleeping on the first floor. Lewis Weiner was awakened by the sound of breaking glass and screamed for his family to leave, police said.

He and his wife fled the burning home, police said. When they realized the children had not left the house, Wiener desperately tried to get back inside. However, the flames prevented him from gaining access, police said. The couple's son Zachary had escaped by jumping from a second-story window, police said.

“Unfortunately the two daughters were unable to escape,” police said.

Both girls graduated from Holton-Arms School for Girls in Bethesda, Maryland, the school said in a statement.

Holton-Arms Head of School Susanna A. Jones also released a heartfelt statement: “It is with tremendous sadness that I am writing to share with you that Jillian '19 and Lindsay '21 Wiener died on Long Island in a house fire early in the morning. . As much of the Holton community can attest, the sisters were warm, dedicated members of the Holton community who positively impacted both their classrooms and the wider school community.”

Jillian was a soccer and ice hockey player as well as an artist, and her passions were yoga and community service, Jones said. “A certified yoga instructor, Jillian taught yoga classes to younger students during her program. Jillian also donated hours of her time to raise awareness and money for families whose children have cancer.”

Lindsay, he added, “was a brilliant spirit and a leader who was also committed to service, particularly involving young people in politics and promoting volunteerism in general. As president of the Community Service Club during Covid, she found creative ways to encourage students As president of the Jewish Culture Club, he also did much to educate the community about Jewish religious traditions.”

Jillian finished her senior year at the University of Michigan and Lindsey was returning to Tulane for her sophomore year, Jones said.

“The deaths of Jillian and Lindsay are a great loss to the Holton-Arms community and they will both be missed by their family, friends and the school community,” he said.

Lew Wiener added: “Don't define us by our loss, but by the blessing that was Jillian and Lindsay… Go home and hug your kids.”