Rami Metal, Councilman Steve Levin’s Williamsburg & Greenpoint rep, posted the following to the CB1 Info mailing list:

Some of you may already be aware of this but for those who are not I am deeply saddened to say that Hope Reichbach, our communications director, died yesterday. We are unbelievably shaken and saddened by her sudden passing and are putting all our energy right now into working through this difficult time and helping her family in any way we can. The funeral is being held on Sunday at noon and the full details are below.

Needless to say we feel that we need to cancel the planned 2:30pm rally against the proposed homeless shelter at 400 McGuinness Blvd. We do not yet have a new date for the rally but will work to figure something out in the next week or so. Obviously this is very last minute and we are doing what we can to let people know about the cancellation but if folks can let their friends or neighbors know that would be helpful.

As for the funeral arrangements, the services will take place at Congregation Mount Sinai, 250 Cadman Plaza West, at noon on Sunday. All are welcome.

The Reichbach family will sit shiva Sunday following the service, Monday and Tuesday all day at 148 Bond Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Donations in Hope’s name can be made to: Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., 413 Baltic Street, Suite 1A, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Below is a joint statement from last night from Steve and the Speaker:

Joint Statement by Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Council Member Stephen Levin

This evening we learned of the tragic death of one of the Council’s family. A bright young woman who was at the start of a career in public service is gone too soon. Hope was a wonderful, vivacious, and tough young woman. A beautiful soul who cared deeply about her community and her family. We are deeply saddened by her passing and will miss her more than words can ever describe. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and her friends, and everyone affected by this loss. We also respectfully request that the media respect the family’s privacy at this most difficult time.