Beloved Wallingford Teacher Battles Cancer, Community Rallies Support

WALLINGFORD, CT — The community is rallying around a longtime Wallingford elementary school teacher who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 peritoneal cancer.

The staff at Mary G. Fritz Elementary School recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Lori Parisi and her family with medical expenses.

Parisi has been a dedicated teacher in Wallingford for 28 years, according to a post on the GoFundMe page.

“During this time, she has taught grades one and two at Pond Hill Elementary School, grades three and four at Yalesville Elementary School, and the renamed Mary G. Fritz Elementary School,” the post reads. “Lori has taught summer school for many years, including at Power Play, a special education summer program. She has led the Kiwanis Kids (K Kids) Club for years, empowering students to complete charitable acts in the community of Wallingford and beyond. She is loved and respected by her colleagues, families, and students. Those that know her best describe her as the most generous, selfless person they have ever met.

“Tragically, Lori has been diagnosed with stage four peritoneal cancer that has abruptly ended her ability to continue to teach. At this time, it has provided her with a window of time to focus on the quality of her life rather than the quantity. For this reason, the staff at Mary G. Fritz Elementary School asks for your financial support for Lori and her family. The funds donated will be used at the discretion of the family to defray medical costs, provide the best possible quality of life for Lori, and to ensure her legacy lives on.”

More than $24,000 has been raised within the first three days of the GoFundMe campaign. (Update: nearly $30,000 was raised as of early Saturday morning).

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.