The family of a Fresh Meadows woman who died in a fire is grieving her loss. NY1's Shannan Ferry sat down with them to learn more about their loved one.
It's hard for Ronald Landau to describe how much he misses his wife Linda Landau.
The 78-year-old died after their Fresh Meadows home went up in flames Friday night.
"It's surreal, We're making the bed," Ronald Landau said, "and then you know, 15 minutes later, she's overcome by smoke."
The fire marshal says a space heater's faulty wiring is to blame for the deadly blaze.
Now, Landau's husband, children, and grandchildren are left mourning her loss.
"It's tragic, you know. It's killing us," said Jaclyn Roberts, the victim's daughter. "Because you know, I expected to have so many more memories with her."
The spunky retired school teacher loved theatre, art and giving back. In her 60s, she even started to give stand-up comedy a go.
"I remember calling my mom up and going, 'What are you up to mom?' And she said, 'I am going to clown school,'" said Mayer Landau, the victim's son. "And I said, 'You're [expletive] what? (laughs)"
Landau's family says she was full of life. Just last week, she celebrated her 78th birthday by going to a museum and seeing a Broadway show."
"She loved to live every moment to its fullest," Roberts said. "I feel bad. I feel like she definitely had at least another 20, 30 years of fun and theatregoing."
"She was very generous," Mayer Landau said. "If you needed someone at the airport, my mom was there. If you needed some care package at the hospital, my mom was there. She was always there to help you out."
Now, Landau's family will be there for each other during this difficult time. They say they plan to cherish their memories with her and keep her vibrant spirit alive.