Slain Forest Hills Mom Remembered As Loving Parent By Family: Report

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — The Forest Hills mother stabbed to death in her basement was memorialized by family as a caring parent, according to a report.

"When I think about my mom, I think about all the work she put into raising us," said Jamie, speaking on behalf of himself and younger brother Leo at a memorial service for his mother, Orsolya Gaal, covered by the New York Post.

"Everyone who knew her tells me how much she loved me and Leo and it reflected in her actions."

Last month, while her younger son was asleep upstairs, Gaal's life was cut short when she was killed in the basement of her family home.

David Bonola, who officials said had a two-year, off-and-on intimate relationship with Gaal while working as her handyman, was indicted over her grisly killing earlier this month after confessing to repeatedly stabbing the married mother in the midst of a fight, according to police and reports.

Gaal's husband, Howard Klein, spoke about the couple's love story at Monday's memorial.

The two met in Budapest during a Christmas party, and — after exchanging love letters and traveling together in Thailand — Gaal moved into Klein's apartment in New York City for what was supposed to be a temporary stay, the Post reported.

"I told Orsolya she could stay for awhile, but I expected once settled in a new job, she would have to move out in six months or so to make friends of her own," Klein said, according to the Post. "Six months later, I put out a big matzo ball: I told her I loved her and that I didn’t want her to move out."

Klein was reportedly out of town looking at colleges with one of their son's at the time of Gaal's murder, and officials declined to comment on whether or not he was aware of her affair.

The couple and their two sons later moved from Manhattan to Forest Hills, where Klein said they built a close community.

"What the past four weeks has demonstrated to me is my destination today and the foreseeable future remain in Forest Hills," he said, according to the Post. "The outpouring of love, kindness and support for our family in the wake of this tragic shock means a great deal."

As the couple's sons prepare for a future without their mother — Jamie is graduating high school and Leo is celebrating a bar mitzvah — Jamie said he's keeping her memory in mind.

"She had a passion for making her kids happy," he said, according to the Post. "She found happiness in our happiness. Right now that’s what’s important to remember."

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