SOLON, Ohio — Crystal Cespedes, a science instructor at Solon Excessive College, died unexpectedly Thursday (April 27), in line with an e mail despatched by the college district to households and employees.
The obituary posted Monday (Could 1) by the Kindrich-McHugh-Steinbauer Funeral Dwelling, which is dealing with the preparations, indicated that Cespedes died in her sleep. She was 40.
The reason for demise remains to be pending, mentioned Chris Harris, spokesman for the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Workplace.
“Tragedy has struck our faculty neighborhood,” Superintendent Fred Bolden mentioned in his e mail to households and employees Thursday evening.
“Ms. Cespedes was a beloved science instructor and membership adviser and might be deeply and profoundly missed by us all.”
Cespedes taught chemistry and environmental science at Solon Excessive College for 15 years, in line with an e mail from Solon Excessive College Principal Erin Quick, additionally despatched Thursday evening.
“Throughout her time at SHS, she touched many individuals in our faculty neighborhood as a instructor, mentor, colleague and buddy,” Quick mentioned.
Family and friends might be obtained for visitation from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (Could 3) on the Kindrich-McHugh-Steinbauer Funeral Dwelling, 33375 Bainbridge Highway in Solon. There might be no funeral service, a spokesman on the funeral residence mentioned Monday.
In collaboration with psychological well being professionals, the district applied a plan to assist highschool college students and employees obtain the assist they wanted Friday and all through the weekend, Bolden mentioned in his e mail.
“She was a really valued member of our faculty neighborhood,” mentioned Tammy Strom, the district’s communications director. “College students and employees alike had large love and respect for her.”
In one other e mail to district households and employees Friday (April 28), Quick mentioned Friday was “a tragic and tough day” at the highschool. However she added, “It was comforting and mandatory for our faculty neighborhood to be collectively.”
Quick mentioned counselors and directors met college students in all of Cespedes’ courses Friday, and that assist will proceed “so long as mandatory.”
“Our district group of psychological well being professionals was current all day (Friday) and met with a small, however regular, circulate of scholars who wished to speak,” she mentioned. “Many college students additionally wrote notes and playing cards to specific their emotions and share their condolences with the household.
“This might be a protracted strategy of therapeutic for our faculty, and we’ll hold the mandatory helps in place for college kids and employees.”
Work will start quickly on the faculty on a “becoming memorial” to Cespedes, Quick added.
In her e mail Thursday, Quick famous that Friday was the final day of the college yr for many seniors.
“Though we might be making an attempt to maintain some semblance of normalcy to our day, the standard all-day celebration that characterizes the seniors’ final day simply is not going to be acceptable (Friday),” she mentioned. “We ask for everybody’s cooperation.”
Cespedes was born July 7, 1982, in Daytona Seashore, Fla. She graduated within the high 10 of her class at Nordonia Excessive College in 2000.
She earned two grasp’s levels from Cleveland State College, specializing in faculty counseling and schooling.
In accordance with the obituary from the funeral residence, Cespedes adored all animals and was an avid skier, a music fanatic, a competition goer and a Cleveland sports activities fan “via and thru.” She additionally cherished touring along with her household.
“Crystal might be remembered for her infectious snort, her ardour for all times and her love of her household,” the obituary acknowledged.
Cespedes is survived by her son, Luca Cadorini; her spouse, Nicole Cespedes; her mom, Holly Lindsey Kotarski; her sister, Melissa Sperlich; and her stepmother, Lisa Kennedy. She was preceded in demise by her father, Russell Kennedy.
In lieu of flowers, the household has requested donations for a GoFundMe marketing campaign to assist her son’s schooling. The purpose of the marketing campaign is $50,000.
To make a donation, go to gofundme.com/f/education-fund-luca-cadorini-crystal-cespedes.
Learn extra from the Chagrin Solon Solar.
