Tiffany Haeberlein, the principal at Áine's school, passed away unexpectedly yesterday due to complications from a pulmonary embolism. She was 36 years old.
This is a loss to the La Rosa Rascal community and to our family.
Áine made almost daily visits to her office so Ms. Haeberlein could to the touching of Áine's nose, hair, cheek, ear. Ms. Haeberlein always called her by name and Àine was always filled with joy when near her.
I told Áine the news this morning while getting her ready for school and she uncharacteristically sat still and listened. And I ended by telling her that Ms. Haeberlein was in heaven. Áine looked upward and a smile like none other came across her face. My ethereal one had once again made me catch my breath.
For me personally, from the moment I met Tiffany seven years ago when she was a Kindergarten teacher and ran a monthly program called "Partners in Print" with Ciara's Kindergarten teacher, until my last encounter with her a few weeks ago, she was never anything but kind and gracious and always straight-forward which I appreciated.
She was the first principal in a long line of principals, schools, and districts, to be an active participant in one of my children's IEPs. She knew Áine and was able to offer insights and share stories about her. She always respected my role as mother and advocated for the best for my daughter. (She even had a place for Brendan to sleep during the times he had to accompany me.)
While the news of her death is fraught with sadness, her legacy of a life of giving is a blessing for which I am grateful.
It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up -- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had. - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of this amazing woman. My heart goes out to you, Aine, and of course her family. Sounds like she was a complete blessing in your lives and for that she shall never be forgotten. I can only imagine the smile that had to cross her face as she saw Aine smiling up at her. :o)
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. She sounded like an absolutely incredible woman who will be missed. I agree that she'll never be forgotten, and her memory will stay with you and the kidlets forever. Take comfort in knowing that she and Aine will share many more angelic smiles.
It seems impossible that she was just there at La Rosa (her home away from home)smiling, doing everything in her power to provide her students with the best educational opportunities, curriculum, and interventions possible and sitting at all of Aine's IEP's for the last 3 years. And now she is a guardian angel watching over us. I can only hope that it is because her work here with us was done and it was her time to take her place amongst the angels. We are truly blessed to have had her on our (Aine's) team and touched by all her goodness and good intentions. She never forgot to keep us included and well supported. Tiffany will be missed, but remembered kindly.
Hope and Peace,
Roxanna Pena
Post a Comment