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Source: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/11/02/20091102gr-teacherdies1104.html
Higley high school teacher dies from H1N1 virus
by Emily Gersema - Nov. 2, 2009 10:53 AM
The Arizona Republic
Higley Unified School District students and staff were mourning the loss of a high school teacher who died Friday after getting a severe case of swine flu that sickened her for a month.
Gail Stapleton, 51, had an underlying health condition, asthma, which health officials have found worsens the impact of flu. Stapleton died Oct. 30 of H1N1 flu, a month after she went on medical leave.
Stapleton had been teaching high school English at both Higley High and Williams Field High School.
Stapleton's family had allowed the district to announce her passing.
Principals Larry Rother of Higley High, and Cindy Royer of Williams Field High, said the family does not plan to hold an Arizona memorial service.
However, a district spokeswoman, Sara Bresnahan, said students and staff likely will organize a memorial or vigil where families, friends and students in the southeast Gilbert district can remember Stapleton.
In a note to parents and students, Rother and Royer wrote that the Higley High School and Williams Field High School crisis teams have implemented a support plan, making counselors and trained staff available for students and staff throughout the week.
Counseling teams at both campuses will visit with students and staff Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon.
An obituary by the family at legacy.com said Stapleton is survived by her husband Tim Jensen, her children Joshua "Tammy" Grueneberg and Jaimie Grueneberg, mother Connie Meyerring, brother James Doucette, and two grandchildren.
Stapleton had taught in schools in South Milwaukee, Wis., and the Higley district.
The family is planning a burial next Monday, Nov. 9, in North Lake, Wis. Relatives ask that people donate to their favorite charities in Stapleton's name instead of sending the family flowers.
Friends, family and well-wishers have begun posting sympathetic messages and memories of Stapleton on a legacy.com online guest book.
HUSD officials are urging families to encourage their children to talk about their feelings, and offer them reassurances. Families with questions or concerns can call the Higley High counseling office at 480-279-7323, or the Williams Field High counseling office at 480-279-8018.
Higley high school teacher dies from H1N1 virus
by Emily Gersema - Nov. 2, 2009 10:53 AM
The Arizona Republic
Higley Unified School District students and staff were mourning the loss of a high school teacher who died Friday after getting a severe case of swine flu that sickened her for a month.
Gail Stapleton, 51, had an underlying health condition, asthma, which health officials have found worsens the impact of flu. Stapleton died Oct. 30 of H1N1 flu, a month after she went on medical leave.
Stapleton had been teaching high school English at both Higley High and Williams Field High School.
Stapleton's family had allowed the district to announce her passing.
Principals Larry Rother of Higley High, and Cindy Royer of Williams Field High, said the family does not plan to hold an Arizona memorial service.
However, a district spokeswoman, Sara Bresnahan, said students and staff likely will organize a memorial or vigil where families, friends and students in the southeast Gilbert district can remember Stapleton.
In a note to parents and students, Rother and Royer wrote that the Higley High School and Williams Field High School crisis teams have implemented a support plan, making counselors and trained staff available for students and staff throughout the week.
Counseling teams at both campuses will visit with students and staff Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon.
An obituary by the family at legacy.com said Stapleton is survived by her husband Tim Jensen, her children Joshua "Tammy" Grueneberg and Jaimie Grueneberg, mother Connie Meyerring, brother James Doucette, and two grandchildren.
Stapleton had taught in schools in South Milwaukee, Wis., and the Higley district.
The family is planning a burial next Monday, Nov. 9, in North Lake, Wis. Relatives ask that people donate to their favorite charities in Stapleton's name instead of sending the family flowers.
Friends, family and well-wishers have begun posting sympathetic messages and memories of Stapleton on a legacy.com online guest book.
HUSD officials are urging families to encourage their children to talk about their feelings, and offer them reassurances. Families with questions or concerns can call the Higley High counseling office at 480-279-7323, or the Williams Field High counseling office at 480-279-8018.
