SLEEPY HOLLOW – Faculty, staff and students at Sleepy Hollow Elementary mourned the loss of 46-year-old literacy teacher Laura Crawford, who died Monday from complications with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
A veteran teacher and accomplished children's author, Crawford spent the last 20 years at Sleepy Hollow teaching second and third grades and literacy.
She was known throughout Sleepy Hollow for her compassion and quick wit that made faculty and students feel loved, said Sleepy Hollow Principal Jason Lentz.
"Laura was the heart and soul of Sleepy Hollow," Lentz said. "She was the go-to person for teachers and certainly a person that I sought out because of how knowledgeable she was about student learning and literacy."
Crawford had planned to teach this year, but returned to the hospital in early August to receive treatment for another bout with the cancer, he said.
Superintendent Michael Bregy informed all Carpentersville-area District 300 faculty and staff about Crawford in a message Monday evening. He said Crawford's legacy will stay alive within Sleepy Hollow and persevere in libraries and children's home throughout the community and world.
Crawford had published numerous children's books, including alphabet books like "The American Revolution from A to Z," "The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving from A to Z," and "Benjamin Franklin From A to Z," which was published last year.
The district has made a display of her books in the lobby of its administration building to honor Crawford, Bregy said.
Crawford's wake will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State St., Geneva. The funeral begins at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
The family is asking that any donations be made in her name to LivingWell Cancer Center in Geneva, where Crawford volunteered.
The district's crisis team is also available for staff and students. The team can be contacted at (847) 551 8331.