EDMONDS — Madrona School health and physical education teacher GayLynne Ullerich led by example when encouraging people to adopt a healthier lifestyle, principal Lynda Fischer said.
Ullerich rode her bike to work at the K-8 school in Edmonds and organized Frisbee games with students during h
er lunch break.
“GayLynne was just an outstanding human being,” Fischer said this week. “She walked her talk and had a tremendous amount of respect and love.”
Ullerich, 49, died Saturday in a car accident on U.S. 2 near Leavenworth, Washington State Patrol and school officials said.
The Edmonds woman was headed out with her family for a day of skiing at the time of the accident, according to the school’s website. Ullerich’s husband and her two teenage children survived the crash.
Both her children are Edmonds School District students; her daughter and son attend Maplewood Parent Cooperative school and Meadowdale High School, respectively. Ullerich was also a parent volunteer at Maplewood.
“It’s been tough but this is a great community and everyone has been rallying together,” Fischer said.
A memorial service is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6215 196th St. SW in Lynnwood.
Ullerich’s middle school students held a vigil Sunday at Madrona School. Some of her past students, who are now in high school, were among the mourners.
“The kids started it as kids do with texting and e-mailing and parents helped out. It was really lovely,” Fischer said.
Fischer said school officials and parents of Madrona School students plan to organize a celebration of life to honor Ullerich, but the date has yet to be determined.
“We’re in the preliminary days of the conversation,” she said.
In the meantime, Fischer is coordinating efforts to support the family. Plans include establishing a college fund for Ullerich’s children and rallying volunteers to prepare meals for the family.
Additional psychologists and counselors are in place at the schools to help people cope with the loss, district spokeswoman Jennifer Piplic said.
“Our thoughts and support are with GayLynne’s family, friends, colleagues and current and former students during this very difficult time,” Piplic said in an e-mail sent to district staff.
Ullerich was hired to teach at Madrona School during the 2006-07 school year after serving as a substitute for three years in the Edmonds School District.
The Washington State Patrol reported that Ullerich’s husband was driving east with her and their children in a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban when the accident occurred shortly after 8 a.m.
The sport utility vehicle lost control on the icy roadway, about 10 miles west of Leavenworth, and hit a snowbank on the right side of the road. That caused the SUV to roll, hit a tree and come to rest upside down.
All of the occupants were wearing seat belts, troopers said. Ullerich died at the scene. The others were taken to a local hospital. The school’s website reported that Ullerich’s husband and children had returned home. The accident is under investigation.
Madrona School serves more than 600 students from throughout the Edmonds School District.
The non-graded school takes a holistic approach to learning, and values social and emotional learning in addition to academics, Fischer said. The classrooms have students with mixed ages. The school also houses the North Puget Sound Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program which has approximately 40 students.
Herald reporter Noah Haglund contributed to this report.
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