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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Two beloved teachers at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville have died of complications from COVID-19, a school spokesperson confirmed.
The two were mother and daughter.
Marilyn Foshee and Julie Foshee-Knowell have passed away in the past week, a TCA representative said.
News4Jax contacted the private school administration after being contacted by concerned parents.
Communications director Chris Carr said the women contracted the virus during the Thanksgiving break and did not return to campus after the break. He said there was no exposure to anyone else related to the school.
Relatives, friends and parents of Trinity students posted condolences on social media and praised the teachers for their kindness, dedication and compassion.
“Really, really sad,” said Trinity Baptist Pastor Tom Messer, adding that the two lived to serve others. “I think their legacy was they loved children, they loved Trinity, and they gave themselves out to people all these years.”
Mother Marilyn, known to students as Mimi, was a kindergarten teacher for many years and has been involved with the school since 1994. Daughter Julie, the director of the kindergarten – started as an assistant when she was a teenager and climbed the ranks.
Knowell, 44, died over the weekend, days after her mother’s death at the age of 81.
“They personify that we are not only professional daycare centers. We are a grandmother and an aunt to all these children. And we will love and help them. You couldn’t have a better kindergarten worker than Julie and Marilyn, ”said Messer.
Many consider teachers to be frontline workers at increased risk during the pandemic.
“In the past week and a half, we know at least five educators who have died of COVID in the state of Florida,” Florida Education Association president Andrew Spar told News4Jax last week. “From headmasters to teachers, to support staff and bus drivers, that’s a major concern and we need to protect our educators.”
Spar, speaking on behalf of Florida’s largest teachers’ union, asks Governor Ron DeSantis to prioritize school staff for COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Trinity community has been devastated by the loss of two wives who have made a great impact and one family who have experienced twice the tragedy.
“Our Christian worldview teaches us that suffering is a part of life,” Messer said. “And inevitably, not only will we have to suffer, but this week we will even have to face the loss of loved ones and people we care deeply about. And it brings us back to the gospel message that our hope is in Jesus Christ. ‘
The Trinity community is planning a memorial for them in the coming weeks when students return from the Christmas holidays. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched for those who want to help the family.
Marilyn was a widow and leaves a son.
Julie had three stepchildren and was also a widow. Her husband died years ago, the pastor said.
The school said the daycare center was closed after an unrelated employee tested positive almost two weeks after the Thanksgiving break. Contact tracing was completed and part of the nursery was closed according to Department of Health and CDC guidelines.
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