A husband and father-to-be from upstate New York is mourning the loss of his wife and baby after their sudden death on March 8. Courtney Fannon, 29, was just weeks away from her due date with daughter Hadley Jaye when she collapsed in her classroom at Kendall Elementary School. Many who are trying to cope with the sudden and tragic loss will miss their beloved teacher.
Her school community confirmed her death on its website and planned to have extra resources available to staff and students as they grieved.
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Courtney contacted her husband shortly before she collapsed.
According to a GoFundMe account started by a family friend, Courtney was in her classroom after school and had just sent a text to Kurtis moments before she was found unresponsive. Emergency crews took her to the hospital in the hopes of saving her and her baby.
"Upon transporting her to the hospital, life saving measures began for both her and Hadley Jaye, however by 6:30pm that night, they were both declared dead. As the news spread, our small, tight-knit community was once again called upon to come together and help in all ways possible, however this one felt different," the fundraising page reads. "As we all gathered, to pay respects and to provide support, there was an eerie silence that was constant throughout the room, which rarely, if ever, occurs within our group."
The district canceled classes after the teacher's passing.
Per a news release on the Kendall School District website, classes were canceled for students as the district made plans to offer counseling servers to students.
A message from the superintendent shows the impact the teacher had on others. "Courtney was a special education teacher who served her students with passion and joy each day," it reads. "When she wasn't in her classroom sharing her love and gift for teaching with her students, she could be found walking our halls with a smile and a friendly hello."
Courtney's death is a heartbreaking loss for many.
According to the GoFundMe page, the pair had been together for 10 years, and Courtney was a beloved member of her group of friends, always taking care of others.
"Courtney was always prepared for any and all possibilities, and just when you had something you never thought would happen occurred, she was there with all the things you could imagine to fix the problem," the GoFundMe page reads.
There are also thoughts about Hadley.
"Hadley, although we never had the opportunity to meet you, see you grow up, and make great things out of yourself, I know that you will live on in all that your family does to ensure that the few breaths that you were able to take were not in vain and will not be forgotten," someone wrote. "One so little, should not have the responsibility to look over their father, but with your mom's guidance, I know that you will be prepared to send messages and signals that you are there watching, just as your mom would be prepared for everything."
The fundraiser will help Kurtis with final expenses.
The GoFundMe account was created to offset the financial burden after Courtney and Hadley's unexpected deaths. It raised more than $95,000 of its $100,000 goal.
Donors shared their love with the family.
"Our hearts break for your family. Praying for you to feel God's peace in these times that make no sense," one person wrote.
Others offered prayers.
"As a husband to an SpEd teacher, and father of two this hits at home. My deepest condolences to you. SW MO has you in our prayers," another comment reads.
The message spread far and wide.
"I am a stranger from CT, but just heartbroken to read about this and My heart breaks for this family and their friends," someone else commented.
Life will never be the same for the family.
The GoFundMe concluded, "Courtney, this world has lost someone irreplaceable and kind hearted, there will never be another person that will fill the void that everyone feels at this moment. Hadley, to the sweet baby girl who never had the chance to live in this world. I find comfort in knowing that you did not go alone and that you will forever be looked after by your loving and caring mother."
The GoFundMe was closed after raising more than $95,000 for Courtney's husband Kurtis.
The cause of death and details surrounding the collapse have not been released.
