SHE WAS SO WELL LOVED BY ALL
Head teacher leads tributes to popular Donna Camillo
A Hamilton school community was in mourning this week following the death of a much-loved teacher. Pupils, parents and colleagues past and present of Holy Cross High School have been left shocked and devastated at the loss of Donna Camillo.
Mrs Camillo passed away on Monday, April 12 following a short illness.
She had worked at the high school since 1999 and was described as being “muchloved”, “respected” and “popular”.
Among the first to pay tribute to her was Holy Cross head teacher John Reilly, who said she had a “quirky sense of style” combined with a “unique sense of humour,” that was loved by her students. “There is still a He said: “Her aim was to convey her love of English to young people of all ages and of all academic ability through her knowledge and intellect and her enthusiasm and passion for her subject. “An aim which she fulfilled more often than not. sense of shock and disbelief at her passing and there is still so much to say and do to recognise and celebrate the life of a teacher so well loved by all.”
Tributes have been paid to a “popular” and “much-loved” Hamilton high school teacher this week.
Donna Camillo passed away on Monday evening, following a short illness.
She had worked in the English department at Holy Cross High School for more than 20 years and was described as a “quirky” and “respected” member of staff.
In a letter sent to parents and carers of Holy Cross pupils via the school app, head teacher John Reilly paid tribute to his colleague.
Mr Reilly said: “It is with a feeling of great sadness that I have to inform our young people, parents and carers of the death of Mrs Camillo, of our English Department.
“Mrs Camillo passed away on the evening of Monday, April 12, following a short illness. Mrs Camillo was a much loved, popular and respected member of staff who had been a teacher in our English department from October 1999.
“With her trademark “quirky’ outfits, usually combined with a pair of Dr Marten boots, Mrs Camillo certainly had a style all of her own.
“This unique sense of style she carried into the classroom with the manner in which she delivered her lessons to each of her classes.
“Her aim was to convey her love of English to young people of all ages and of all academic ability through her knowledge and intellect and her enthusiasm and passion for her subject.
“An aim which she fulfilled more often than not assisted by her unique sense of humour which her classes loved.”
Mrs Camillo was known to regularly go that extra mile to help her students and Mr Reilly said the young people in her classes were her first love.
Both current and former pupils remembered Mrs Camillo with tributes on social media with one ex-student saying: “Will never forget the card she gave me when leaving school and I 100 per cent believe it’s what pushed me to do what I now do for a living.”
Parents of Holy Cross pupils past and present were also keen to pay their respects.
One wrote: “Mrs Donna Camillo taught both my younger girls. This teacher always went above and beyond to give kids the education they should have.
“Mrs Camillo will be sadly missed by many as a teacher, wife, friend to many. Rest in peace.”
Another said: “Such very sad news. Rest in peace Mrs Camilo and thank you for your dedication to our children.”
The school hope to now celebrate her life when pupils return to classes full-time next Monday.
Head teacher Mr Reilly continued: “There is still a sense of shock and disbelief at her passing and there is still so much to say and do to recognise and celebrate the life of a teacher so well loved by all.
“The time for this will be decided when our young people return to school next week. In the meantime, may I ask all of our young people, parents and carers to pray for the happy repose of the soul of Mrs Donna Camillo.
“Please also pray for her husband and her family at this most sad and difficult time.”