Darien School Community Mourns Death Of Beloved Teacher

DARIEN, CT — A teacher from Darien was killed in a car crash on Dec. 16 in the town of Southeast, N.Y., Darien Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Byrne confirmed with Patch on Friday.

Jaclyn Hamill, 43, was a kindergarten teacher at Hindley Elementary School, according to the district website.

"My sincerest thanks to all who have reached out and offered support to the Hindley community during this difficult week; the level of care and kindness shown has been beyond all expectations and is deeply appreciated by our entire staff," Byrne wrote in his weekly community update. "While we often speak of the impact of our greater, unified school 'family', this week we have truly lived it; feeling the strength of your support as a community that comes together in times of need."

A GoFundMe fundraiser was created by a Brewster, N.Y., resident to support Hamill's husband and her 5-year-old son.

As of Friday afternoon, the fundraiser garnered over $85,000, including a generous donation from the Darien Education Association.

"On December 16th, our community lost someone truly special. Jaclyn Hamill was a devoted mother, a wife, a teacher, a neighbor, and a friend. She was a kind, caring person who gave so much of herself to others, especially her family and the children she taught," the fundraiser's description says.

According to Hamill's obituary, visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cargain Funeral Homes Inc., 10 Fowler Ave., in Carmel, N.Y.

A prayer service to honor and celebrate Hamill's life will take place on Monday, Dec. 22, at 10 a.m., also at Cargain Funeral Homes, Inc.

View the GoFundMe fundraiser here.