Rachel D'Avino, age 29

picture from People magazine

 

Information from Huffington post, Connecticut community foundation, memorial page, obituary

Rachel was born on July 17, 1983, a 2001 graduate of Nonnewaug High School, Rachel went on to receive her bachelor's degree from the University of Hartford, her master's degree from Post University, and was working towards her doctorate degree from University of St. Joseph of Hartford.

Rachel completed her final requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her presence and tremendous smile brightened any room she entered. Rachel loved animals, cooking, baking, photography and karate. She was an adoring big sister who cherished her two younger siblings like they were her own children.

Her passion, however, was her occupation as a behavioral therapist working with children within the autism spectrum. She had worked in various positions throughout her career providing behavioral therapy to children, with hopes of helping them develop into happy and healthy adults. She integrated these children into her daily life, often taking them into her home, hosting holidays and crafting parties for them. She taught them and treated them like family. Her maternal nature, understanding, and sense of patience with the learning disabled were truly gifts she possessed. Ultimately, it is these gifts that would have given Rachel a level of understanding and forgiveness during this time of crisis that many others wouldn't have.

Rachel's boyfriend had just asked her parents for their blessing to marry. He had planned on proposing on Christmas Eve.

 

http://www.usj.edu/news/in-honor.html

 

http://www.conncf.org/cart/viewProduct.cfm?productID=2029

 

http://rachelmariedavino.com/

 

On November 1st, I will send a letter of thanks to the specialist that worked with my son throughout elementary school.



Anne Marie Murphy, age 52

picture from People magazine

 

Information from Huffington post, obituary,

 

 

 She was born July 25, 1960 in Mount Kisco, NY, the daughter of Dr. Hugh and Alice McGowan of Katonah and graduated from St. Mary's School in Katonah, John F. Kennedy H.S. in Somers, NY and Southern CT State University with an MS degree in Education. Anne was employed by the Newtown Board of Education as a Teacher at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. She will be remembered for her love of the Arts, walks in the outdoors and most importantly: her family. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newstimes/obituary.aspx?pid=161791026#sthash.wiyigZaC.dpuf

 

 

School aide, art teacher, special education teacher. She was one of 7 and had 4 children herself. Loved art and painted a mural. Every Memorial day she would return to Katonah, NY to watch her Dad march in the parade. Her final act was to embrace Dylan Hockley and other students. Dylan loved his teacher so much he kept a picture of her on his refrigerator.

 

 

http://www.sandyhookpromise.org/anne_marie_murphy 

 

On November 1st, I will take a walk in the outdoors with my family in her Mrs. Murphy's memory.



Lauren Rousseau, age 30

picture from People magazine

 

 

Information from Huffington post, People, obituary, ctpost,

 

Lauren was known for her exuberance, her love of family and of children, her friendliness, kindness and loyalty, and her ever-present smile. "If she didn't have a smile on her face, she was trying to make someone else feel like smiling," a longtime friend said. Lauren was a graduate of Danbury High School, where her greatest joys were singing and dancing in the yearly musical and teaching in the school-based nursery school. She graduated from the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 2004 with a degree in English and psychology, and she earned a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport. She did her yearlong teaching internship at Robert Avenue School, some of it in the same classroom where she had been a first-grader. She did her student teaching at John Pettibone School in New Milford, and later worked as a substitute teacher in Danbury, New Milford and Newtown. She was hired as a permanent substitute teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary only weeks before her death. From her college years on she worked in catering at Fox Hill Inn in Brookfield, and the past few years she also worked at the Starbucks coffee shop in Danbury. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newstimes/obituary.aspx?pid=161797784#sthash.fQeBessS.dpuf

 

Friends describe her as an angel. Always wanted to be a teacher since she was little. Loved the students..."her kids".  Had a cat named Laila. Liked to take the train to Manhattan to see Broadway shows. Last year of her life was the happiest.

 

http://www.bridgeport.edu/finaid/graduate/scholarships/lauren-rousseau-memorial-scholarship/

 

On November 1st, I will drink a Starbucks coffee in Lauren Rousseau's memory.



Mary Sherlach, age 56

picture from People magazine

 

 

Information from People, Huffington post, CNN,

 

 

Sherlach, 56, was an expert in psychology, having earned her undergraduate degree in that subject at SUNY Cortland and a master's degree at Southern Connecticut State University. Before becoming a school psychologist, she worked as a rehabilitation assistant at a psychiatric facility, at a group home for disabled adults and as a community mental health placement specialist. Her experience in education included stints in the Redding, North Haven and New Haven public school systems before landing at Sandy Hook Elementary in 1994. During her time in Newtown, Sherlach kept busy as a member of numerous groups such as the district conflict resolution committee, safe school climate committee, crisis intervention team and student instructional team. From her Facebook page:

"My husband Bill and I have been married 31 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, ages 25 and 28," she said. One a chorus teacher, the other getting her PhD in chemistry.

Sherlach listed her interests as gardening, reading and going to the theater. She and her husband lived in Trumbull, Connecticut, and "enjoy traveling and spending time at our lake home" in upstate New York's Finger Lakes region. 

 

She was looking towards retirement and she loved to sit on her front porch on her white wicker loveseat. She was a great neighbor. She was also a Miami Dolphins fan.

http://www.fccfoundation.org/cm/Sandy%20Hook%20School.html

 

On November 1st, I will know how the Dolphins did the night before... and on November 11, I will watch and root for the Dolphins in the Monday Night Football game in memory of Mary Sherlach.

Victoria Soto, age 27

picture from People magazine

 

 

Information from Huffington post, obituary, NY Times, Wikipedia, Eastern Connecticut State University,

 

 

 Born In Bridgeport on November 4 1985, she was a lifelong Stratford resident. Vicki was a graduate of Stratford High School Class of 2003, and Eastern Connecticut State University, where she graduated with high honors, earning degrees in both Education and History. She was currently attending Southern Connecticut State University, to complete her Master's Degree. Vicki was in her fifth year of teaching at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Teaching was her passion, following in the footsteps of her beloved Aunt Debbie, and her dream since she was three years old. Molding young minds was her priority, but being the "fun" teacher, was what she was all about. The children she taught at Sandy Hook Elementary were a huge part of her life. Vicki was equally passionate about her family, which was the most important part of her life, especially her siblings, sisters, Jillian whom she loved unconditionally, and Carlee in whom she instilled the importance of higher education and her brother Carlos Matthew who looked up to his big sister with pride. She was not only a role model to her sisters and brother, but to everyone she met. She was an amazing young woman, who died a hero. Some of her favorite things include: Flamingo's, of which you can never have to many, (whenever we saw one, we thought of her), the New York Yankees #11, ... Vicki also leaves behind her loving dog Roxie, who waited for her to come home everyday, and is still waiting, lost without her. Her extended family was also a huge part of her life. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newstimes/obituary.aspx?pid=161773156#sthash.Gr5QD4Ds.dpuf

 

      

...Ms. Soto was remembered as a young woman with long brown hair, captivating blue eyes and “an infectious laugh,” one who had a passion for gathering her extended family together whenever she could and making relatives laugh with sometimes zany impulsive gestures.  They recalled how Ms. Soto, on a whim, insisted that all of her cousins and siblings buy cheap sunglasses before a trip to a Six Flags amusement park, how she woke her lovesick college roommate with “Kiss the Girl” from the Disney film “The Little Mermaid.”... and seemed to live for Christmas and the chance to ornament a tree that she insisted on choosing, and to be surrounded by her family.  She was the funniest, goofiest person.... always up for anything.When she hugged you,” she said, “she put her whole heart and soul into every hug she gave.” Ms. Soto’s aunt, Debbie Cronk, a teacher who was her professional inspiration, remembered how exuberant Ms. Soto was when she called five years ago to say she had secured a job at Sandy Hook Elementary. But Ms. Cronk also remembered her mischievous side, how as a little girl Ms. Soto loved feeding the ducks near her grandmother’s house, though not as much as eating the bread herself. Ms. Schiavone, her best friend, recalled Ms. Soto’s devotion to the profession — spending every evening working on lesson plans and designing poster boards — and the extra mile she went for her students. 

 

 

http://www.easternct.edu/advancement/victoria_soto.html

 

 

On November 1st, we shall have a purple flamingo in attendance at the fire in memory of Vickie Soto.

 



Nancy Lanza, age 52

picture from People magazine

 

 

Information from Huffington post, People magazine, NYDaily News, NPR

 

Grew up in Kingston NH. Married her sweetheart in 1981. Became a stockbroker and her husband was an executive. Family moved to Newtown CT. and the Lanzas had 2 sons. Over time became a broken family leading to a divorce in 2009. With the divorce settlement, Nancy wouldn't need to work again. Oldest son had graduated college, moved to NY and held a respectable job. Youngest son had a learning disability, was very socially awkward, and emotionally disturbed. Nancy fought with school system and finally took youngest out and homeschooled him. Youngest received his GED but never had a job and lived at home with his mother. Nancy was described as warm, open, gregarious, friendly, and generous. Liked Craft Beer, frequenting a bar/restaurant called My Place. Her other hobbies were playing Bunco with the neighborhood ladies, gardening, target shooting, game hunting, and gun collecting. She and her youngest would often go to the shooting range together. Since the divorce, Nancy's friends had noted two fears had developed in Nancy's life: the direction the country was going because of the economy, and the fear that she was losing her youngest son - that she was not connecting with him. Nancy never got out of bed Friday morning.

 

My Place has dedicated a bar stool in Nancy Lanza's name.

 

www.nami.org

 

http://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/resources/mental-health-hotline-numbers-and-referral-resources/#Hotline

 

 

On November 1st, I will discuss the Red Sox World Series Win with my children in memory of Nancy.

 

 



Charlotte Bacon, age 6

picture from People magazine

 

Information from Huffington post, Newtown Kindness, obituary

 

 

Charlotte was an extraordinarily gifted six year old who filled her family each day with joy and love. The family will forever remember her beautiful smile, her energy for life, and the unique way she expressed her individuality, usually with the color pink. Charlotte never met an animal she didn’t love and since the age of two wanted to be a veterinarian. She enjoyed practicing Tae Kwon Do weekly with her dad and brother where she relished kicking and throwing punches! She also loved the song "Home" by Phillip Phillips. Was also a Daisy Girl Scout. Had just gotten a special pink dress and pink boots she was going to wear on Christmas - couldn't wait to show her friends - she wore that on Friday, her last day at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

 

 

Birthday: February 22

 

http://www.newtownkindness.org/charlotte-bacon-act-of-kindness-award/

 

On November 1st, I will play "Home" by Phillip Phillips for Charlotte