Thank goodness, Judy Romaneschi, who retired two years ago but had subbed for Theresa, came back to take over the class. Romaneschi is slowly taking down colorful displays that made Theresa's room look as inviting as a spring bouquet. She said her predecessor was overflowing with ideas for children. I watched one first-grade girl say goodbye to her mother Tuesday at the classroom door. The little one told her parent she was still afraid to go into the room.
Loss hits children in different ways.
At Theresa's dream home in Mukilteo, purchased in September, Terry and Jamie were surrounded by pictures that were shown at Theresa's funeral. I stared quietly at snapshots of a happy, active, beautiful family. There was a flower pot tipped over on the back porch where Theresa loved to garden. It was hard to fathom she will never return to set it right. At her funeral, a former student, Everett High School sophomore Brett Sontra, told the overflowing crowd he recently invited Theresa to a basketball game when asked to bring a favorite teacher.