Beloved JeffCo Educator Dies In Childbirth; Baby In NICU

LAKEWOOD, CO – Friends and colleagues of JeffCo Assistant Principal Leilani Tanner, 39, will gather Sunday, Oct. 21 to remember her at Chatfield High School in Jefferson County from 1 - 3 p.m. Her family members have asked friends to donate to a non-profit mothers milk bank in her memory.

Tanner, of Lakewood, died unexpectedly Sept. 27 from complications of pregnancy, her brother Lyle Tanner said. Her 10-week premature baby, named Alan, was air-lifted to St. Joseph's hospital, where he remains in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Related: JeffCo Principal's Death During Childbirth Part Of Alarming Trend

Tanner was assistant principal at McLain Community High School in Lakewood and had worked for JeffCo schools for many years.

“We were shocked and saddened to lose Leilani Tanner, a long-time Jeffco employee," statement from the district said. "It is always difficult to lose a member of our Jeffco family, and Leilani had touched the lives of many students and built relationships with coworkers across the district. Our hearts are with her family during this difficult time, as well as with our staff members and students that are grieving her loss.”

McLain Principal Gavan Goodrich said he was writing "with great sadness," offering "tragic news," as he announced Tanner's death in a letter to parents and staff. "As some may know, the McLain and Long View communities have endured the loss of several staff members over the past few years. [Sept. 26] was another tough day for everyone. As a community we are going to continue to support staff and students with counseling for anyone in need. These types of events can stir up past experiences and periods of grief for all," Gavan wrote.

Tanner had just purchased a home in Lakewood and closed on the property three days before her death, Lyle Tanner said.

Baby Alan, born weighing less then 2 lbs., has "up and down" days his uncle said. The baby is expected to remain in neonatal care at the hospital until at least December, Lyle Tanner said.

Family members are requesting a donation in Leilani's name to non-profit Rocky Mountain Children's Health Foundation Mother's Milk Bank for medically vulnerable infants.

Leilani Tanner was born in Oklahoma but the family moved to Arizona where she spent her childhood, her brother said. She received a BA from Southern New Hampshire University and received graduate degrees from University of Colorado-Denver and Regis University.

Tanner was committed to "improving the quality of education for students, especially the under-privileged," her brother said. Tanner was a soccer enthusiast, spurred on by her mother Ann Rogers, Lyle Tanner said.

Along with her brother, mother and father Roland Tanner, she's survived by the baby's father, Jamar Campbell, her son, Austin Tanner, and a sister, Alanna Tanner-Chojnacki.

Images of Leilani Tanner via Lyle Tanner.

This article has been updated to correct the date of the planned Celebration of Life.

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