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Faye Chadwell, 67
Died March 1, 2021.
Paterson Elementary School, Fleming Island, FL
ESE Secretary
Faye T. Chadwell was called home to heaven all too soon on March 1, 2021, at Orange Park Medical Center, Orange Park, Florida.
Faye was born on December 30, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois to Jacqueline J. Miller and Walter J. Kukla. Faye is a graduate of Tinley Park High School, class of 1971. Upon graduation, Faye entered the work force in banking. She also worked for Area 36 Special Olympics in Marquette, Michigan. Faye found her true calling in the hotel and restaurant industry and held various positions ranging from server to senior executive throughout her career. Faye served as the Controller and then General Manager of Culver Cove Resort from 1993-1996. That was followed by stints at Holiday Inn Properties as a General Manager from 1996-1998. Faye shifted her focus to education and served as the Executive Director of the Indiana Hospitality and Tourism Foundation from 1998-2001. Her career then took her to Orlando, Florida where she served as the Senior Vice President of the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association from 2001-2011. Faye retired from the hospitality industry and next worked as a para professional in special education for Clay County Schools from 2013 until her passing. She worked at Fleming Island Elementary and Swimming Pen and finally at Paterson Elementary as the ESE Secretary.
Faye is survived by her loving husband of 10 years Richard (Chip) Chadwell Jr.; son David (Julie) Gayes, son Nick (Kari) Gayes; grandchildren Emerson, Eva, Katharine, and Niko; stepchildren Reganne and Anders Chadwell; brothers Tom, John and Chris Kukla. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Walter Kukla.
Faye had many passions in her life. She loved to travel and enjoyed cruising. Dancing and music were another outlet that made her smile! She also loved to watch her beloved Packers and Cubbies – a highlight being in 2016 when the Cubs won the World Series. She was very supportive and acted like a team mom to her husband’s numerous athletic teams over their ten-year marriage.
Faye will be laid to rest at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on a date that will be determined in the near future. The family is also going to have a celebration of life on a future date in Jacksonville, Florida and also in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Vikki Cha
Died January 25, 2021.
Burrel Elementary School, Fresno, CA
After School Educator
Vikki Cha brought happiness to so many students and staff at Burrel Elementary School.
“I remember the project when she made me the princess mask,” said kindergartener Sofia Iniquez.
Less than a month ago, the after-school educator lost her battle with COVID-19.
She worked at the school for less than a year, but her presence will never be forgotten.
A mural of the beloved teacher now watches over the students she cared for so deeply.
“The Burrel Community really, really embraced her and she just really stepped up with our students in expanded learning,” said Emma Chavez, project specialist with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools.
Cha started working with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools right before the pandemic hit.
Staff said she moved to the Central Valley from Sacramento to start a life with her fiancé.
Because of the coronavirus, much of her work was done virtually.
Those who worked closely with her say she always kept students on their toes.
“She would surprise the students,” said site lead Daisy Martinez. “The kids would come here with excitement looking forward to what she was going to do with them.”
Burrel Union superintendent Elizabeth Runyon said Cha was one in a million.
“We will miss her,” she said. “She was a hard-to-find rare gem and she was very special.”
As a final goodbye, staff and students she taught released white balloons into the air with a unified message, “Those we love never go far, but live forever in our hearts.”
Cha was laid to rest in Fresno Wednesday.
Melissa Sheats, 49
Died February 5, 2021.
South Atlanta High School, Atlanta, GA
Office Clerk
An Atlanta Public Schools high school office clerk passed away three weeks into her battle with COVID-19.
Melissa Sheats was a wife and mother of two sons, her husband cried as FOX 5’s Aungelique Proctor began talking to him.
“She fought and I helped her fight but as the days went on, it got unbearable for her,” Ricardo Sheats said.
Mr. Sheats says his wife was dedicated to her job and had even been working in the building this school year, while the students were learning virtually.
“She loved it. She is a people person. I’m going to work. I am going to work and I would say , are you sure?, her husband recalled.
Mr. Sheats said his wife had a heart condition and was very conscious about wearing her mask. But on January 15, her last day working at the school, the 49-year-old called him and said she didn’t feel well.
“She called me and said she needed to go to urgent care. The results came back that Saturday, she was positive for COVID.”
Mr. Sheats says Melissa fought as long as she could.
“She was hurting real bad and she kept saying she was scared and her breathing almost stopped,” he recalled.
On January 24, she went to the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms and never came out. Her death leaves her family devastated and her husband afraid to leave the house.
“Honestly speaking we need to shut this city down, we might not be able to shut the state down, but we should start with the city because this is real, ” Mr. Sheats said emphatically.
“Thirty-two years and now I got to watch TV and my wife is part of the COVID death numbers. I didn’t want a memory like this here,” he concluded.
Atlanta Public Schools released the flowing statement:
“In alignment with our protocols and out of an abundance of caution, all faculty and staff at South Atlanta High School will return to teleworking and continue to engage students through remote virtual learning beginning Friday, February 4th and ending Wednesday, February 10th. During this time, the building will undergo a deep cleaning and the District will continue to refine and enforce its health and mitigation strategies. In working to keep our students and staff safe, the District had previously slowed the pace of return to in-person learning to provide more time to intensify and add to our current mitigation strategies, and we have implemented a comprehensive COVID-19 testing strategy.”
Sherrie McGary, 51
Died January 23, 2021.
Oslo Middle School, Vero Beach, FL
Media Assistant
An Oslo Middle School staff member, Sherrie Lynn McGary, died last week and a colleague attributed her death to a case of COVID-19 contracted on campus.
McGary, 51, the school’s media center assistant, died Jan. 23. She was the first public school staff member to die from the virus in Indian River County.
While the school officials said there is no way to confirm where McGary contracted the virus, School Superintendent David Moore fired off letters to Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Health Department officials calling for educators to get a higher priority for COVID-19 vaccinations.
“The loss of this staff member has reverberated throughout our school communities,” Moore said in a Jan. 27 letter to DeSantis. “I am respectfully requesting that provisions be made to swiftly prioritize educators in opportunities to be vaccinated against COVID-19.”
Several School Board members offered their condolences to the McGary family and the school district sent grief counselors to console students and staff members.
“As something like that happens, we have a crisis team that is immediately there,” Schools Superintendent David Moore said. “We’re being very sensitive and proactive in providing systems of support.”
A total of 15 students and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Oslo Middle School so far this school year, according to school district records.
A seventh-grade civics teacher at Oslo Middle School, Todd Holden, blamed McGary’s death on the virus, asserted she caught COVID-19 on the job and said he fears other educators will also die from the disease.
“It’s going to be some time before Oslo gets back to whatever passes as normal in today’s environment,” Holden told the School Board during its Jan. 26 business meeting.
“My dear colleague’s death brings us face to face with a harsh reality,” Holden said. “There is no doubt the virus is running through our schools and Ms. McGary contracted the virus at Oslo.
“In the last two weeks, we have had seven teachers diagnosed with COVID, many having significant if not severe symptoms,” Holden said. “Of course, the virus is running through the schools. To deny that or suggest otherwise is to live in a place other than reality.
“To imagine Ms. McGary will be the last school employee to die of this virus contracted at school is also a fantasy,” Holden said. “There is no telling which of us will be next.”
But school district spokeswoman Cristen Maddux told Vero Beach 32963: “With COVID-19 being prevalent in all areas of our community, there is no way to confirm, and it is not appropriate to assume, where an individual contracted the virus.
“We will do everything in our ability to continue enforcing the health and safety guidelines within our schools and expedite the availability of the vaccine to our teachers and staff members,” Maddux said.
Holden urged the School Board to lobby state and federal officials to designate educators as frontline workers so they can gain quicker access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Meanwhile, the school district reported 30 students and eight staff members tested positive for COVID-19 between Jan. 25 and Jan. 31. Another 219 students and one staff member were directed to quarantine.
Altogether, 160 students and 47 staff members have tested positive for the virus since the school year started Aug. 24, school district records show. Another 1,563 students and 31 staff members have quarantined.
The school district reports COVID-19 cases for students and staff members attending school in person.
The Florida Department of Health, which keeps track of COVID-19 cases for those involved in virtual, as well as in person learning at public schools along with cases in charter and private schools, reports a much higher number of total cases.
According to the state, there have been 660 cases of COVID-19 in 34 public, charter and private schools in Indian River County as of Jan. 23, Health Department records show. That includes 524 students, 42 staff members and 94 people whose school role is listed as “unknown.”
During the week of Jan. 17-23, 46 students, one staff member and 14 whose status was “unknown” in the county’s public, charter and private schools tested positive for the virus, Health Department records show.
One of those COVID-19 cases was a student at Oslo Middle School, Health Department records show.
Holden praised McGary’s commitment to the students at Oslo Middle School.
“We have lost one of the hearts and souls that makes Oslo the school that it is,” Holden told the School Board. “Sherrie McGary was … always kind and generous, willing to do whatever needed to be done for what she called ‘my kids.’”
Holly Warren, 64
Died February 2, 2021.
Hillcrest High School, Simpsonville, SC
Attendance Clerk
Holly Ann Williams Warren, 64, wife of Reggie Dale Warren for 42 years, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
Mrs. Warren was born in Atlanta, GA to the late Jack Preston Williams and Louise Doris Sheets Williams. She was a member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church and worked in the attendance office at Hillcrest High School. She was a fixture at every HHS sporting event and a yearly volunteer for the HHS Miss Hilltopper pageant. Holly loved her time at the Carolina beaches with Reggie, and especially the beaches at the Gulf Shores of Alabama. In the summertime, you could always find her in Schira’s pool or Kelly’s pool enjoying the sun. When Lindsey was young, she was a back-stage mom and a Girl Scout leader. A southern lady, she was known for her red lipstick, her beautiful smile, and her warm, bubbly charm. Some of her favorite indulgences were chocolate cake, a glass of red wine with a cheese-ball, and her famous Watergate salad. Holly relished being “Nana” to her grandchildren and invested much time and love into them. Holly was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. She was infamous for always being on “Holly Time”.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are a daughter, Lindsey Warren-McGee and husband Henry; a brother, Kelly Williams and wife Christi; a sister, Schira Benson and husband Ardie; three grandchildren, Brett McGee, Henry McGee II, and Bo McGee; two nephews, Luke Williams and Ben Williams; and two nieces, Ansley Williams and Arden Smith and husband Wes. She was predeceased by her son, Brett Mitchell Warren.
A Celebration of Holly’s Life will be 3 o’clock Sunday in the sanctuary of Simpsonville First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Cannon Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior the service. Memorials may be made to the Brett Warren Memorial Scholarship Award at Hillcrest High School, 3665 South Industrial Drive Simpsonville SC 29681.
Sandy Rodriguez, 68
Died January 29, 2021.
Ropesville Independent School, Ropesville, TX
Secretary
Cenaida “Sandy” Rodriguez, 68, of Ropesville was born November 28, 1952 in Brownfield to Juan & Maria (Torrez) Cruz. She married Anselmo Rodriguez April 30, 1982 in Ropesville. She worked at Ropes ISD for 26 years. She loved her job and the kids. Sandy enjoyed spending time with her family, all kinds of crafts, & painting. She was a member of Saint Francisco de Asis in Ropesville.
Sandy went to be with the Lord Friday, January 29, 2021. Her father: Juan Cruz and granddaughter: Ally Nickens both preceded her in death.
Those left to cherish her memories are her husband of 38 years: Anselmo Rodriguez, her mother: Maria Cruz, 5 children: Richard Escandon & wife Christy, Rachel Escandon, Rebecca Salas & husband Michael, Monica Davila & husband Abelardo, Andrea Puente & husband Christopher, 9 grandchildren: Phillip Salas, Adrian Escandon, Alex Escandon, Nyssa Salas, Nicolas Salas, Gabriela Escandon, Alizebeth Nickens, Jackson Nickens, & Ayden Davila, 1 great-granddaughter: Alyvia Padilla, and her brother Johnny Cruz & wife Cathy.
Graveside services will be at 1:00pm Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Ropesville Cemetery in Ropesville with Father Jose Kochuparambil officiating. Services are under the care of Wilsons’ Funeral Directors of Wolfforth.
Pallbearers will be Phillip Salas, Adrian Escandon, Alex Escandon, Nicolas Salas, Jackson Nickens, & A.J. Padilla. Honorary pallbearer will be Gil Gonzales.
Frank Dalessio, 68
Died January 27, 2021.
Medford Public Schools, Medford, MA
Computer Technician
Frank J. Dalessio of Medford passed away on January 27. He was 68 years old. Frank was the beloved husband of Barbara E. (Puleo) Dalessio. Born in Boston, he was the cherished son of the late Frank and Cecelia (Condelli) Dalessio.
Frank was employed by the Medford Public Schools as a Computer Technician. Frank and his family traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando FL. every year, a trip he looked forward to year after year. He was an avid ten pin bowler and was a member of a league based out of the Town Line Bowling Lanes in Malden.
Frank was the devoted father of Lorri Hill and her husband Shaun and Sherri Dalessio all of Medford. He was the adored grandfather of Abigail and Annabella Hill. Frank was the dear brother of Marie Parziale of Wilton, NH and late Joanne Santasky. He was also survived by many nephews.
Visiting hours will be held in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Monday, February 8, from 8:30-10:30AM followed by a Graveside Service to be held in Oak Grove Cemetery 230 Playstead Rd. Medford at 11AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Current social distance guidelines will be followed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the Massachusetts Covid-19 Relief Fund at www.macovid19relieffund.org.
Bob Manus, 79
Died January, 2021.
Brinker Elementary School, Plano, TX
Crossing Guard
Plano parents and children are mourning the loss of a beloved school crossing guard, “Mr. Bob” Manus.
The 79-year-old died this week from COVID-19.
For 16 years, Manus safely walked kids to and from Brinker Elementary in Plano.
Friday, the corner of Clark and Yeary was filled with a sadness felt by parents like Sarah Kissel.
“He’s a fixture in our community. I think you don’t always realize the people who are in your life every day and do these things for your family. Sometimes you don’t recognize it until something like this happens,” said parent and PTA president Sarah Kissel.
The memories of time spent with Mr. Bob are flooding in from families who knew him over the years.
“I’ve had families reach out to me telling me stories about how they have three kids in college, and all of them knew Mr. Bob,” said Kissel.
Sarah said he didn’t have family in town, so kids and parents welcomed him into their own – bringing him Christmas gifts, and singing Happy Birthday to him on his birthday.
As he fought COVID-19 for several weeks in the ICU, parents left messages at the hospital, hoping he would know how much he was loved.
They gave hospital staff a gift basket – as a thank you – for caring for the man who watched over their kids.
“Even a job that you may not think of on a daily basis as being the most important thing can have a huge impact on the community. Mr. Bob impacted all of us, and he was so devoted to his job as a crossing guard, and we are so grateful that he kept our kids safe every day,” said Kissel.
The PTA plans to order a memorial marker and place it at Mr. Bob’s corner so kids can remember him for years to come.
The city of Plano issued a statement about Bob’s death, “The City of Plano would like to express our sadness and sympathy regarding the passing of one of our longest serving crossing guards, Bob Manus. Bob has been a part of the City’s Crossing Guard program for 18 years. He was very special to the Brinker Elementary community. His role helping children get safely across the street on their way to and from school was the most important thing to him. His dedication was truly admirable. He had a close relationship with parents. Many Brinker moms have been looking out for Bob through the years, offering him a helping hand to meet his needs. Some of those moms now have adult children. He died of complications from COVID-19. He had been in the ICU at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center – Centennial in Frisco for several weeks. Bob was a very special man. He would have turned 80 this year. He will be sorely missed by the Crossing Guard program and all those who knew him.”
Lynda Ables, 71
Died January 24, 2021.
Houston High School, Germantown, TN
Front Office
Lynda Helen Atkinson Ables was born April 21, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, to Blanche and Robert Atkinson. When Lynda was 8 years old, she and her mom and brother Walt (Diane) travelled by train to Little Rock, Arkansas. Her mom later married Ralph Santoro and gave Lynda two more brothers, Matt ( Debbie) and John (Tina). Lynda adored Ralph and considered him her Dad while greatly respecting his knowledge of the Bible. Lynda became a tech in the heart cath lab at the VA Hospital in Little Rock where she met Danny Ables. She and Danny married February 28, 1975. They had two children, Ryan (Renee) and Rachel. The Ables moved to the Memphis area in 1989 and became active in Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, then Bellevue Baptist and finally at Crossroads Baptist in Eads where Lynda taught first grade Sunday School. Lynda served many years on the board of the ministry FLARE (Family, Life, America, and Responsible Education, under God). She was active for decades in Precepts Bible Study and was trained as a teacher in that Bible study method. While Danny was the love of Lynda’s life, it was her three grandchildren, Caden, Palmer, and Alaina that truly stole her heart. Her repeated prayer was that her children and grandchildren would continue to grow in love and service to the Christ she worshipped. She and Danny kept the grandchildren every single Friday night. Lynda was well known at Houston High School where she served as administrative secretary and was recognized as the go to person for everything from documents to prayer requests. Lynda was a quiet, calm and caring friend to more people than can be counted. She had a God-given gift to instinctively discern your needs and would meet them as best she could in her discreet way.
Amy Desormeaux, 60
Died January 22, 2021.
Apex Friendship High School, Apex, NC
Media Assistant
Amy Desormeaux, 60, lost her fight to COVID-19 at Cape Fear Valley Hospital, Fayetteville, on Friday, January 22nd, 2021.
Amy was born Amy Jeanette Parker, in High Point, North Carolina, on August 14th, 1960, to her late parents, Jean Jackson Harper and George Thelton Parker I.
She was a graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School, class of 1978, where she was a part of the beta club, president of the junior women’s club, and a cheerleader. Amy then went on to attend North Carolina State University where she received her Bachelors of Art in Business Management. Later she attended National Louis University, earning her a Masters in Education for Curriculum and Instruction. After attending both schools she went on to receive her North Carolina Real Estate License.
Amy was currently working as a Media Assistant at Apex-Friendship High School, where she made many friends, and impacted the life of her students.
Amy had a huge heart, and gave more than anyone ever asked. She was a woman filled with wisdom, and always knew what to do in every situation. Amy loved spending time with her family. In particular, she loved her trips to Disney Parks and Kure Beach. She loved to laugh, and to make her friends and family laugh. She lit up a room with that same laughter.
Amy is preceded in death by her stepfather, Allen Stanfield Harper; brother George Thelton Parker II and his wife Jane, along with other aunts and uncles. Amy is survived by her husband of thirty-nine years, Mabry Joseph Desormeaux, and daughter Olivia Parker Desormeaux; her sister Stannette Harper; her nieces and nephew, Eliza Weaver Gingras, Amy Leah Weaver, Molly Jeanne Parker, and George Thelton Parker III, and great niece and nephew, Ava and Jackson Gingras, dear friend Sam Boyer; as well as many other family members and friends, whom she loved very much.
During this time of sudden loss, and grief, in lieu of flowers or donations, please share any stories that you have with her, and send them to amymemorybook@gmail.com. This is a way we will remember our Amy on hard days.
Due to concern regarding the pandemic and wanting to spare others what she suffered through, the family has decided to celebrate her life at a later point with a trip to her favorite place, the beach. Amy was loved by many, gone too soon, and her legacy will be remembered.