SRVUSD Mourns Librarian Lost To Cancer; $44K Raised For Family

SAN RAMON VALLEY, CA — The San Ramon Valley Unified School District community is in mourning for librarian and teacher Jessica Ringwood, who died from cancer Wednesday night.

Ringwood, who was receiving hospice care, leaves behind her husband, Ted Levey, a California High School English teacher, and their two children, San Ramon Valley High School said Thursday.

"We are deeply saddened at Ms. Ringwood's passing," said district spokesperson Ilana Israel Samuels in a statement Friday morning. "It has impacted all of us, especially those who knew and worked with her."

Ringwood was well-respected and left an impact on both students and colleagues. Samuels said a longtime colleague recalled Ringwood's dedication to literacy, the fulfillment she found in her work and the many hours she spent carefully curating the library selection.

San Ramon Valley High said it was planning ways to honor her life and career. "But for now, we grieve the loss of our colleague and friend," the school said on Facebook.

San Ramon Valley High encouraged the community to support her family by donating to an online crowdfunding campaign set up by two of Levey's students to help cover Ringwood's medical bills and provide resources for their children.

The GoFundMe fundraiser had raised about $44,000 as of Friday morning from about 600 donors, thanks to Cal High students Kamran Chaudhry and Adam Wies. San Ramon Valley High called the fundraiser "a testament to the wonderful community we have the privilege to be a part of."

Levey told Patch in an email last week that he and Ringwood were "surprised and amazed at this love and support from our community."

"It is truly touching and a welcome reminder of the impact we have had on so many students and colleagues over our long teaching careers," Levey said. "That is fulfilling on so many levels."

Dozens of comments left on the fundraiser showed support for the family. Students thanked Ringwood and Levey for their positivity, passion for education and the effect they had on their lives.

Ringwood's students remembered Ringwood as a favorite teacher who pushed her students to grow.

"I carry every piece of advice you so generously shared with [me]," said Caryn Harrison, one of Ringwood's women's literature students, who graduated in 2007. "You were kind, understanding, tough when I needed that and a wonderful role model. You are the reason I love to read and the reason I pushed myself to be better. I am so very thankful to have had you in my life."

Lauren Jagger said she decided to become a teacher's assistant just to spend more time with Ringwood.

"Every book I read in women's lit meant something to me and I remember something meaningful from each to this day," Jagger said. "You were inspiring, challenging (but fair), and just a kind human making room for everyone in our classroom to be themselves and be respected."

Donate to the fundraiser for Ringwood's family.

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