Grissom Middle School mourns sixth-grade teacher
That’s when a beloved teacher died unexpectedly in her classroom, doing what she loved.
Abby Ohl was only 25, but she’d already made an impression on her students, their parents and her fellow staffers in the Kirby School District 140 building.
“She was a very bright, very compassionate young woman with a quick sense of humor,” Grissom Principal Deborah Broadwell said. “She was a very positive person. She always saw the positive side of everything — just a rare quality in a person.”
Ohl, a sixth-grade special education teacher who also co-led student council, was helping two students with announcements when she suddenly collapsed, District 140 Assistant Superintendent Shawn Olso said.
“She was immediately tended to by our school nurse until Tinley Park paramedics arrived,” Olson said. “She was then transported to Palos (Community) Hospital, where her parents were waiting.”
The students involved met with counselors immediately afterward and, Olson said, their parents were contacted.
On Saturday, the district posted about the loss on its website. On Sunday, officials opened the building to grieving teachers and staff, and, later that day, to students, Olson said.
“I will tell you a very large percentage of those teachers came together to mourn and in some way celebrate what they knew of Abby and (what it had been like) working with her,” he said.
“We brought all of our counselors and social workers together for this as well — to make sure there was support here for both the teachers and the students,” he said.
Olson said counseling continued through Tuesday and would be available as long as necessary.
“Ms. Ohl really embodied what being a teacher meant. She loved her kids, she loved the staff, she loved everything about being here,” he said.
A graduate of Andrew High School, Ohl is being remembered as a young woman who loved to laugh, dance, watch “The Gilmore Girls” and help at Special Olympics.
She was preceded in death by an older brother, Taylor, who also died unexpectedly in 2002 when he was 14.
She is survived by her parents, Dennis and Sue, and a brother, Thomas, a U.S. Marine. Ohl’s mother is a teacher at Keller School, also in District 140.
Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday at St. George Church, 6707 175th St., Tinley Park. A funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, followed by interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Red Cross.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office said Thursday the cause of death is pending.
Meanwhile, the Grissom community remembered the vibrant educator who “had a smile for everyone.”
Kellie Walker, who teaches seventh grade science and social studies, was student council co-leader as well as good friends with Ohl. The two were working together toward their master’s in curriculum and instruction with a focus on English as a Second Language.
“Abby was full of life and could put a smile on anyone’s face. She put her full heart into every task that she was given,” Walker said. “As a Student Council leader, she encouraged the students to present their ideas to better the school and the community.”
Ohl’s colleague Monica Sheedy said, “Abby was Grissom’s ray of sunshine. Her overwhelming kindness and infectious smile made students and staff want to be around her.”
Further evidence of that sentiment came from Ohl’s sixth grade team, which came together to pen a memorial:
“Abby was a beautiful soul who made you feel loved. Her kindness and gentle spirit touched so many lives. We were blessed to have Abby as a colleague, but even more as a friend.”
Parent Elida Solis said she was touched by Ohl’s ability to seemingly provide personal attention to all of her students. She said Ohl often sent progress notes about her son, Noah.
Noah Montoya, an eighth-grader at Grissom, said Ohl helped him break out of his shell. One day while the 13-year-old was in a student council meeting, Ohl told him he was a good speaker and suggested that he give declamation a try. He signed up for the speech club; today it is his favorite activity. “She turned me from a quiet kid to actually being able to socialize with people,” he said. “She was very kind. Very dedicated.”
High school and college friends recalled Ohl’s constant smile and infectious laugh.
Samantha Labus said her longtime friend was blessed with a “listening ear.” She credited Ohl’s mom with instilling the young teacher’s love for education.
Alli Rose said, “She always knew how to make people smile and she made me laugh constantly.”
Ohl’s boyfriend Will Craft, of Crete, said, “Abby was the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, both inside and out. She never had anything negative to say about anyone, and she could make anyone smile with her infectious laugh and those big blue eyes. She was the light of my life and someone I knew I would spend the rest of my life with.”
Kelsey Hutmacher roomed with Ohl at Eastern Illinois University.
She said she’ll always treasure her friend’s smile, laugh, spontaneity, drive and dance moves.
“When I look back on my life, Abby is in every major moment. From high school graduation to college, and all the way to my wedding day,” Hutmacher said. “I am forever grateful to have had Abby in my life for the last 10 years, and to have had the chance to make so many memories that will now need to carry me through a lifetime.”
She said Ohl truly “lived every day like it was going to be her last.”
Her friend Alexis Teichmiller agreed.
“(Abby) lived in the moment and was always looking for ways to laugh and enjoy life,” she said.
Lindsay O’Keefe had been friends with Ohl for the past decade.
Not only could Ohl cheer her up when she was feeling down, she “made me appreciate the little things in life. She has taught me to never take life too seriously — to always laugh, be goofy, have fun, enjoy food and good beer,” she said.
Ohl had a gift, she said, for making everyone feel better about themselves.
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