Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for October 21, 2008 TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED

If a reminder were needed...

Charleston Elementary School Principal Dies Suddenly after Surgery

By: CJ Cassidy

CHARLESTON, Mo. - Folks in Charleston mourn the loss of a community leader.

Elementary School Principal Becky Stewart died overnight Sunday at a St. Louis hospital following complications from surgery. They say it came as quite a shock to everyone.

Friends and co-workers describe Stewart as a person who never turned down a challenge or a chance to help someone.

Now, they must take on the challenge of explaining her loss to young students at Warren Hearnes Elementary.

"This was something unexpected. Her condition was one doctors worked very hard to help her overcome. She simply couldn't," Superintendent Kevin Miller said.

Laura Logan volunteered on community projects alongside Stewart, and recalled the last time she saw her friend.

"We had our fall fundraiser and she worked at the chicken fry with us. She talked and joked, normal Becky, just happy. We talked about family and vacation plans and what you talk about with friends," she said wistfully.

Logan agrees with Superintendent Miller that breaking the news to young children isn't easy. School leaders brought counselors in to help explain Stewart's loss to students. They also handed out fliers to parents to serve as a guide in explaining the concept of death to their children.

"The emotions were something of a roller coaster. The older the students, the more questions they had, and the more answers our counselors provided," Miller said. "She's going to be sorely missed."

Becky Stewart served as principal for about eight years and was assistant principal for two years before that.

She leaves behind two children. Her husband is a trooper with the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Funeral arrangements are still pending.