CHURCHVILLE, NY – A tragic incident unfolded in an upstate New York school on Friday when a special-ed teacher, who was weeks away from giving birth to her first child, collapsed in her classroom and later died.
The woman in question, Courtney Fannon, 29, was a beloved figure at Kendal Central School, located in a rural community about 30 miles northwest of Rochester. Without warning, she became unresponsive in her classroom shortly after sending her husband, Kurtis, a text message.
Emergency measures were undertaken to get Fannon to a hospital, where she was immediately taken for treatment. Doctors battled to save both Fannon and her unborn child.
Sadly, despite the determined efforts of the medical team, both the mother and her soon-to-be-born daughter, Hadley Jaye, passed away. The exact cause of the sudden tragedy is yet to be determined.
Courtney Fannon’s sudden death leaves a gaping void in her community and in the lives of those who knew her. A vibrant presence in the school, she had been a dedicated special education teacher since 2018 and was known for serving her students with remarkable passion.
In memory of Courtney and Hadley, a GoFundMe page was established by Kurtis’ friend, Matt Smith. The fundraising initiative has so far garnered nearly $53,000 as of Thursday.
In his heartfelt tribute on the GoFundMe page, Smith described the devastating reality Kurtis now faces of returning to an empty home filled with baby items and a nursery prepared for a child that will never occupy it.
Courtney, who was due to give birth in a matter of weeks, has been remembered as a loving, genuine, and relentlessly organized individual dedicated to the well-being of her students.
Smith also shared a poignant tribute to the unborn child, Hadley, expressing a profound sadness and a commitment to ensure her brief existence is not forgotten.
A memorial mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. this Saturday at St. Vincent DePaul Church in Churchville in honor of Courtney and Hadley.