Funeral for Wesley Lepatner
At a heartfelt ceremony on Thursday, the 14-year-old daughter of Wesley Lepatner, a Blackstone executive who was tragically killed, delivered an emotional tribute as her mother was laid to rest. The service took place at the Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan, where she expressed her grief, stating, “My mother was like my rock.”
Lepatner lost her life on Monday in the lobby of 345 Park Avenue when a gunman opened fire in the office building, resulting in four fatalities before he took his own life.
In her tribute, the daughter reflected on her feelings of disbelief. “I played this scene in my head countless times, but I always thought it would happen later in life,” she shared, visibly upset. “I never expected this to occur when I was just 14. It’s difficult to wrap my mind around it; I keep thinking it has to be a prank or just a really bad dream.”
The 43-year-old Lepatner, who served as the CEO of Blackstone’s Real Estate Income Trust, is survived by her husband, Evan Repatner, and their two children. They met during their time at Yale University.
Evan spoke about the immense void left by Wesley’s passing, saying, “There’s a hole in my life so vast it feels like Everest.” He noted that everyone present had their own unique experience of loss. His remarks highlighted the profound impact that Wesley had on those around her, with attendees moved by his emotion.
During the service, Lepatner’s father recalled his daughter’s brilliance from the moment she was born, describing her captivating gaze as “the most intelligent eyes I’ve ever seen.” He reminisced about holding her as a baby, where it felt like she was already taking everything in around her.
Wesley had previously worked at UJA-Federation in New York, alongside notable individuals in the community. Alongside her, the memorial also honored three other victims from the shooting: NYPD officer Didarul Islam, security guard Aland Etienne, and others who lost their lives in this tragic event.
As the daughter concluded her tribute, she shared her ongoing struggle with the loss, saying, “Every time the doorbell rings, I feel like it could be her, and I get excited. I miss her so much.”
