'She Taught With Love': Vigil For Teacher Draws Heartbroken Crowd

GREENPORT, NY — Faces streaked with tears, the many who loved Greenport teacher Cindy Goldsmith-Agosta gathered for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night to remember a woman who touched countless lives.

Goldsmith-Agosta, 47, died suddenly Saturday, leaving hearts broken.

The crowd gathered in the cold night air under a bright full moon, warmed by the love that was tangible as speakers shared memories of their "angel."

Greenport chorus teacher Erika Cabral spoke first and said those who organized the gathering wanted to give mourners the opportunity "to be all together, to lean on each other, to be able to grieve — and to remember that we're all in this together."

Goldsmith-Agosta, she said, touched so many lives, whether the lives of those she grew up with in Greenport, her fellow teachers, her students, and those, too, who just knew her from around the village.

"She was someone everyone knew and loved," she said. "We are all hurting and we are all trying to figure out how to navigate this tremendous loss in our lives."

To Goldsmith-Agosta's family, Cabral said: "I know I speak for the entire community when I say we are here for you, we love you, and we will support you in any way that we can. Our hearts are broken but Cindy has left us so many wonderful memories and life lessons that will live on forever in all of us."

Greenport High School Principal Gary Kalish said he had worked with Goldsmith-Agosta since 2015 and knew how deeply dedicated she was to the school and to her students.

"She was smart, honest, dedicated, and generous," he said. "She held those around her accountable, to be the best they could be for her school — and that includes me. She made me a better principal."

Kalish remembered Goldsmith-Agosta bringing bags of clothes her son John had outgrown, so his sons could wear them. "She was generous in all ways," he said.

He added: "Cindy always supported others. As educators we prioritize the role of relationships and establishing bonds between teachers and students. Cindy developed those strong relationships with her students and their families. She was a mother to them all."

A strong communicator, Goldsmith-Agosta helped her students to realize their true potential, Kalish said, adding that parents regularly expressed their gratitude for her work and what she'd done for their children.

Students, too, blossomed under Goldsmith-Agosta's dedication. "She was sought after by many students, whether during advisory or her own lunch period, you'd find students looking for her and she was always there for them."

She also formed strong bonds with her colleagues, who are heartbroken, Kalish said.

The outpouring of care from the community and neighboring school districts has been overwhelming, Kalish said.

He sent a message to her family: "I want to express our deepest gratitude for sharing Cindy with us as her school family and I know I speak for that staff at Greenport that we will do our best for her son John. Cindy will forever be in our hearts and she leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten."

Fellow teacher Carolyn Burke said Goldsmith-Agosta was not just a colleague but a "soul sister. She was intelligent, passionate, fierce, strong and loving. .. As a friend she was loyal, honest, and always knew the go-to person or the one to give helpful advice when needed. As an educator, she was dedicated and a strong advocate for her students. Cindy represented the heart of GHS," she said.

She added: "She inspired me to be abetter teacher, friend and human. The loss to her family, her friends, our school and our community is something that will never be healed but rather endured. Her light shone brightly in the brief time she was here but, oh, what a legacy she left."

Shyane Jones, a Greenport High School graduate, spoke with deep emotion, remembering the bond she shared with Goldsmith-Agosta, ever since they'd met when she was in eighth grade in 2009.

Looking at a photo from that time, she said, "What I remember from that day is that it felt as if my life had come full circle — that she and I were meant to be a part of each other's lives, and I would forever be thankful and grateful for her and her friendship."

When she was asked by Kabral to speak at the vigil, Jones said she initially froze, known for her fear of public speaking. "But for Mrs. Goldsmith, I would do anything, just as she would do anything for anyone. I never do well with people passing, but this, this one right here, hurts more than ever."

Her voice breaking with tears, Jones said: "She was the ray of sunshine you needed to get through any day. Her smile, her charisma — she was warm, loving and caring. She was always thinking about the next person, always, always putting people before her. I hope that in my lifetime I am half the person Cindy was."

She added: "I would give anything in this world to just get one more, 'Hey, woman,' from her."

Frank Musto, who worked as a substitute teacher and security guard at the school first met Goldsmith-Agosta in 2006 and said she helped him gain confidence in his new position.

"To her, teaching wasn't just a mere job, it was a way of life," he said. "She taught with love."

Some of Goldsmith-Agosta's students then sang a song for their teacher as their candles flickered in the night air.

The family will receive friends at the Horton-Mathie Funeral Home, located at 735 1st Street in Greenport, on Wednesday, January 19 between the hours of 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 20, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church, located at 3300 Depot Lane in Cutchogue. Burial will follow at East Marion Cemetery.

And on Thursday, the Greenport Union Free School District will be closed, said Superintendent Marlon Small, to give students and staff time to mourn.

The school has only closed once before in recent years in memory of a teacher, when Dr. Dennis Claire died in 2004.

Goldsmith-Agosta's family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the North Fork Animal Welfare League, P.O. Box 297, Southold, NY 11971. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

An email with the heartbreaking news was sent by Small.

"Words cannot express how devastated we feel at the passing of someone so special, who has been such a staple in our school community for so many years. . . We are simply heartbroken by her untimely passing," he said.