Teacher's death ‘rocked our whole community'
Sarah Harris
A superstar teacher will be honoured at her funeral in a quirky way — with her favourite chocolate.
Casey Walker, 34, suffered critical injuries in a car accident on February 9 on Tauhei Rd near Morrinsville. She died of her injuries the next day.
Brother Ryan McIntyre came up with the unusual way to honour his sister who loved Cadbury Caramilk chocolate. When they raided her house they found 19 blocks of it. Since then her friends had accumulated around 100 blocks to be used at the service today.
“At the cemetery instead of putting flowers in with her we’ll take two pieces. You eat one and chuck one in with her.
“There’s going to be enough things going in with her. I thought it might be a good idea, that way she gets some of it and we get some of it.”
Walker had taught at Morrinsville School since 2002, taking breaks to travel and have her two children Briar, 2, and Tanner, eight months, with her husband Davey Walker. Last year she returned to work, sharing the job with another teacher who had young children.
Ryan said he’d be brutally honest and call his sister “bossy”.
“She was also really good at organising everything. It made it a lot easier so no one else had to do it. But you had to put up with it her way, not how you would do it.
“She’d go into a room and make her way around the room. She’d take interest in everyone else. She was very outgoing and sociable, and loving and kind with family and friends.
“We’re just devastated that it’s had to end so soon. Not only do we miss out on this time with her but Briar and Tanner do. She was an amazing mum. We can try fill the gap but it’s just not the same,” Ryan told the Herald.
Mum Sharon McIntyre was overwhelmed by the support of the community.
People had donated food for the funeral, set up a Givealittle page and the Morrinsville School would close today so students and staff could pay their respects, McIntyre said.
Chairman of Morrinsville School Brett Johnstone said Walker had the ability to “call a spade a spade” and always went above and beyond in her work.
“She was an extremely unique human being. As a teacher she touched so many kids’ lives.
“To be called a friend by Casey Walker is just the tops for me.”