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Died January 6, 2021.
Woodbury Central Middle School, Moville, IA
Social Studies, Volleyball Coach
The Woodbury Central School District is mourning the loss of a beloved teacher who died of COVID-19.
Now, family, friends and loved ones are honoring the 53-year-old educator, wife, mother and great friend, who inspired her students and her community.
Loving, caring, kind, and amazing.
These are just a few words many use to describe Cherie Dandurand.
“Loved working with kids, was able to reach out, especially struggling kids and get them more involved in school,” Superintendent Douglas Glackin said.
Dandurand taught social studies at Woodbury Central Middle School in Moville.
Superintendent Glackin witnessed her hard work ethic firsthand, as she was heavily involved in numerous committees.
“She was part of our safety committee. She was part of our leadership team. She was part of our character counts team. She was part of our school improvement team,” Glackin said.
But now, her classroom sits quiet and empty after COVID-19 claimed her life Wednesday, Jan. 6th.
It was news that devastated not only the small town of Moville, but her past and present students, too, as well as everyone else’s life she’s touched.
“There was just such a deep feeling of loss,” Glackin said.
Dandurand’s sister-in-law, Laura Dandurand, was very close to her over the years.
“She always cared about her kids and her job and I mean kids, not just her own two boys, Richard and Ed, but her students,” Laura Dandurand said.
And, as Dandurand’s family and loved ones continue to grieve, they are urging the community to take COVID-19 seriously.
“You don’t want to be that person that ends up being the one that gets hit really, really hard. Just wearing a mask and everyone wearing a mask and, greatly help with that,” Dan Dandurand said.
This would’ve been Dandurand’s 30th year at Woodbury Central.
She was also a volleyball coach and a mentor to her fellow colleagues.
Dandurand is survived by her husband and two sons.