Special Education
Nawai Kalai, 27
Died November 1, 2020.
Madison Elementary School District, Phoenix, AZ
Special Education
A Madison Elementary School District employee died on Sunday after recently contracting COVID-19. This is the third COVID-related death of a school employee since Thursday.
Nawaialoha Keli’imahiai Kalai, known as Nawai for short, worked in the district’s special education department as a behavior technician, it said in a Monday statement. The district describes him as a gentle and kind soul who worked tirelessly to ensure students with special needs received a lot love and attention.
The Madison district’s social workers and counselors are available to help students and staff affected by Kalai’s death, it said.
“We recognize that a death of an adult in your child’s life, especially one he or she may see every day, may evoke certain reactions,” the district said in its statement. “You may find that your child expresses concern about the health and safety of themselves or others around them, or even demonstrate behavioral signs of grief such as crying, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. It is important to listen to your child and encourage them to share his or her feelings if he or she is having difficulty coping with the loss.”
Outside of school, Kalai was a local musician from Hawaii, according to his YouTube page.
“Nawai was very passionate about the music, he would always be either listening, singing, or creating,” said Diego Gonzalez-Perea, Kalai’s brother-in-law. He remembered an event where Kalai’s played “You’re Welcome” from Disney’s “Moana” for a couple of toddlers who requested it.
“Nawai had learned a few Disney songs for the kids and it would always bring smile to the parents rocking out to Nawai’s infinite set of music,” Gonzalez-Perea said.
Kalai and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19 in late October, according to a recent Facebook post by Kalai.
A GoFundMe page set up to help Kalai’s family says he urged everyone to “wear your masks and stay safe if not for yourself then do it for the others around you.”
Kalai’s death comes days after two other COVID-related deaths of employees at the Tolleson Union High School District and the Chandler Unified School District.
Tolleson football and baseball coach Ash Friederich, 40, died on Sunday. His death was unexpected and heartbreaking, the district’s Superintendent Nora Gutierrez said in a recent statement. The district hired Friederich in 2016 as an English teacher. In the past four years, Friederich also served as a yearbook sponsor and assistant coach for girls softball and girls basketball.
Chandler IT employee Joseph Sadri died last Thursday at age 74, said district spokesman Terry Locke. Sadri was working in isolation at the district’s former transportation complex, Locke said. Sadri is the second Chandler employee to died after contracting the virus.
Joe Thomas, president of the Arizona Education Association, said schools need more state and federal resources to ensure they can keep their staff and students safe.
“The problem is that we don’t have enough classrooms to be socially distant,” Thomas said. “We don’t have enough resources to clean as often as everyone wants to.”
Thomas has heard there are educators who are having to bring in their own disinfectants and other safety equipment. Thomas is also concerned about the lack of HVAC inspections at Arizona schools.
Martine Hope, 70
Died November 4, 2020.
Johnson County High School, Mountain City, TN
Special Education
Martine Hope, age 70, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Watauga Medical Center. She was born on March 23, 1950 to the late William Russell Scott and Oma Bellar Scott in Russellville, Kentucky. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her little brother, Gary Scott.
Martine loved the Lord first and foremost. She was a wonderful Wife, Mother, and Granny. She was well known for her passion of working with children. Martine had a very kind soul and was always willing to help anyone in need. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, camping, and singing. She was a song leader and member of Faith Gospel Church.
Those left to cherish her memories include her husband of 49 years, Roy “Bobby” Hope; daughters, Kathy Schwarberg, Donna Nelson and husband Tim; son, Dale Hope and fiancé Sunshine; sister, Brenda Thomas; brothers, Danny, Darrell, Mendel, Ricky, Bobby, and Steve Scott; granddaughters, Kandice Schwarberg, Ryan Schwarberg, and Hope Worley; great grandsons, Carson Nelson, Colton Worley; special foreign exchange children, Masae “Sadie” Azuma, Yasuhiro “Simpson” Yamashita, and Francisco Navarro; special friends, Hayden and Josiah Bailey, and sister-in-law, Vanessa Rigsby; several other sisters and brothers in law, nieces, and nephews.
Mary Smith, 49
Died December 7, 2020.
Fairview Elementary School, St. Louis, MO
Special Education
Mary Geralyn Smith, age 49, passed away Monday, December 7, 2020. She was born on June 3, 1971, to the late Richard and Margaret “Peggy” (Humphreys) Smith in St. Louis, Missouri.
Mary graduated in 1989 from Francis Howell High School. She went onto college and earned her Masters Degree in Special Education. Mary was a selfless individual; she found the most gratitude in life helping those in need. She worked as in a live-in caretaker at an Emmaus special needs home for over 10 years. Mary also loved children and had a career as a special education teacher for Special School District for 21 years in St. Louis County. In her final years she was a teacher at Fairview Elementary School, in the Jennings School District. Her students were her pride and joy, and she devoted her life to developing them. Additionally, Mary was the caretaker for her mother in the last years of her life. In Mary’s free time she enjoyed spending time with her family and her dog Bootsie. She also took joy in exercising, hiking, crafting, and venturing with friends.
Mary Smith is survived by her brothers: Stephen of St. Peters, Missouri; John (Kelly) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Joseph (Kimberley) of St. Charles, Missouri; and her nieces and nephews: Julianna (Nicholas) of St. Peters, Missouri; Jessica (Michael) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Anthony of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Benjamin of St. Charles, Missouri; and a great-niece: Faith of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and by her little dog Bootsie.
The family will receive guests on Friday, December 18, 2020 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm for a visitation at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals, and Receptions, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Saint Peters, Missouri 63376. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Newcomer Cremation, Funerals, and Receptions. A Christian Burial to follow at Our Lady Catholic Cemetery in Lake St. Louis.
Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made out to Emmaus Homes, 3731 Mueller Rd, St Charles, MO 63301
Jennifer Crawford, 53
Died October 3, 2020.
Indian Hills Junior High School, Clive, IA
Special Education
December 18, 1966 – October 3, 2020
Jennifer Lynn Beardslee Crawford, age 53 of West Des Moines, Iowa, formerly of Long Beach, Indiana passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Franciscan Health Michigan City, Indiana, surrounded by her loving family.
A Celebration of Life service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, Indiana 46360.
She was born on December 18, 1966 in St. Louis, Missouri to Stephen Jeffrey and Barbara Barnes Beardslee. Jennifer and her family moved to a number of states due to her Dad’s sales career. She spent her younger years in Annapolis, Maryland, graduated from Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Illinois in 1985 and went on to graduate in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising and a Minor in Business from Eastern Illinois University.
After graduation, she pursued a career in Fashion Merchandising and Design at Spiegel, Brighton, and Movado until she was able to pursue her dream of owning her own boutique, Victoria’s by the Lake in New Buffalo, Michigan, which she loved dearly.
Jennifer touched so many lives and this world will never be the same without her. She had a love of life, the Chicago Cubs, but her “happy place” was undoubtedly the beach.
No matter where Jennifer was, she absolutely left a piece of sunshine to all who crossed her path. She gave so much to friends, but above all she was fiercely devoted to her family.
She was so vivacious, a complete utter giver, and a kind soul who changed the lives of many, both those she knew and those she just passed by.
As life happens, she met and married the love of her life, A. Jeffrey Crawford and moved to West Des Moines, Iowa, where she helped raise his children, Emily, Anna, Andrew, and Weston and made an impact on Emily’s Fiancé, Troy Asche. Jennifer and Jeff married on April 24, 2010 in Naples, Florida.
Jennifer leaves behind her mother, Barbara Barnes Beardslee of Long Beach, Indiana, her sister, Joanne Beardslee Tedesco, brother-in-law, Ken Tedesco, two nieces, Gianna Channing Tedesco and Madelyn Grace Tedesco of Westfield, Indiana. Her father, Stephen Jeffrey Beardslee proceeded her in death on June 30, 2020.
Teresa Horn, 62
Died August 28, 2020.
Tahlequah High School, Tahlequah, OK
Special Education
Teresa Ann Chaudoin Horn was born on February 8th, 1958 in Tahlequah, OK, the daughter of Benks and Geneva (Dause) Chaudoin. She graduated from Tahlequah High School and began the first of two degrees, the first being in Social Work the second in Education. It was while working as a waitress at the Sirloin Stockade she would meet and marry her best friend, Danny Horn. Upon her sister introducing them, Danny asking her out for a date, they promptly ran out of gas on the way home. In spite of the rough beginning, they married on October 9th, 1987 in Tahlequah, OK, after eight months and the rest was wonderful chemistry. They were blessed with a daughter, Dani Horn-Haggard, who was her pride and joy and greatest accomplishment in life. Teresa was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother and educator. She loved her students and would go to the ends of the earth for them. When she wasn’t working, she was solving murder mysteries on TV, drinking Diet Mountain Dew, listening to Elvis sing, or watching OU do their magic. She was stubborn and never gave in when she set her mind to it, and would do whatever was necessary to help her students, family or friends succeed. There were never any strangers in Teresa’s life, and you could always confide in Teresa, she had a caring heart and was always there to listen. Her smile was enough to light up the darkest corner, and her laugh was irresistible. If her grandchildren were playing ball, or in any activity, she was their biggest fan, usually in the loudest hat! Her sister and her daughter were her favorite running buddies, and together they would go shopping, eat out, and any number of other activities. A Christian by faith, she and her family were members of the Calvary Assembly Of God, making church dinners and serving in the Missionettes, and involved in Ladies Ministry. Her health had been difficult recently, and the Lord called this wise and wonderful woman home from her many labors on Friday, August the 28th, 2020 in Tahlequah, OK. She was 62 years old and leaves behind the many lives she has touched in the short time she was with us.
She is preceded by her grandparents, Curtis and Ollie (Blackhaw) Chaudoin, and Edward Carmack and Odra Dause, her parents, Benks and Geneva Chaudoin, and her beloved uncle Jack Chaudoin.
Her memory will be lovingly tended by her husband Danny Horn of the home in Park Hill, her daughter, Dani Horn-Haggard and husband Marcus of Tahlequah, OK, and three step children, Cheryl Horn and companion Bill Campbell of Tahlequah, OK, Janna Horn and companion Scotty Thompson of Tahlequah, OK and Brandon Horn and wife Tiffany of Ft. Gibson, OK. She leaves her sister, Judy Carroll and husband Danny of Tahlequah, OK and her seven step grandchildren, Derrick Campbell and wife Morgan of Milwaukee, WI, Taylor Osborn and Richie Osborn both of Tahlequah, OK, Kaylee Williams of Ft. Gibson, OK, Talon Osborn and Brynlee Coppin both of Tahlequah, OK, and Kyra Horn of Ft.Gibson, OK. She also leaves one nephew, Rodney Carroll and wife Danielle of McKinney, TX and one niece, Rhonda Carroll of Tahlequah, OK, as well as many cousins, and a host of students, friends, and church family far too numerous to mention.
Darla Arends, 58
Died November 6, 2020.
Charles City High School, Charles City, IA
Special Education
Darla Joyce Arends, 58, of Charles City, Iowa passed away on Friday, November 6, 2020 at MercyOne in Mason City, Iowa. Visitation will be at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Her funeral service will be on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 2:30 P.M. at the Zearing Christian Church in Zearing with Pastor Adam Koester officiating. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing, Iowa.
Darla was born on October 31, 1962 in Iowa City, Iowa to Jake and Maryilyn (Groenewald) Arends. When she was 3 her family moved to Zearing where she attended school. She graduated with the NESCO class of 1983. Darla went to the University of Iowa where she earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. After college she began working as a teacher and worked at Marshalltown High School, Forest City High School, and for the last 20 years worked at Charles City High School as their special educational instructor. Darla was a woman of great faith and often filled in at churches and gave sermons. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kapa. Darla loved her family and to spend time with them, most especially Jason and her nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed flowers, gardening, baking, crafts, her “babies” cats Grace and Whiskers, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Those left to cherish her memory are her siblings Jay (Becky) Arends, Wanda Arends, Carl (Charlotte) Arends, Dale Arends, and Neil Arends; nieces and nephews Jacob (Amber) Arends, Brad (Maggie) Arends, Andrew (Paige) Arends, Justin Mathis, Toni Mathis, Jamie Probstfield, Shannon Price, and Shawn Probstfield, Ashley Arends, and Whitney (Tyler Zimmerman) Arends; 15 great-nieces and nephews; and many close colleagues and friends.
Darla was preceded in death by her parents.
Susan Keener, 53
Died October 14, 2020.
Walter Hill Elementary School, Murfreesboro, TN
Special Needs
Susan Keener, 53, a Murfreesboro native, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2020. She was an educational assistant for fifteen years at Walter Hill Elementary. She worked with special needs students and was known for treating her students like her own. Susan was an Auburn fan and you could often find her sporting Auburn gear. She loved her children, grandchildren, and students. She also worked part-time at Vision Works and was known to go above and beyond to help customers. She was a dedicated worker, a loving mother and grandmother, and an overall selfless soul.
Mrs. Keener is survived by her daughters, Autumn Raffaele and Allison Keener; mother, Ruth Ann Huff; father, James Bogle; aunt, Wanda Mosley; brother, Wayne “Bubba” Bogle (Ann Hawkins); five grandchildren; and three granddogs.