Beloved Wauwatosa teacher dies suddenly
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Beloved Wauwatosa teacher dies suddenly Video by 620wtmj.com
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WAUWATOSA - The start of spring break for students and staff at Wautwatosa's Longfellow Middle School got off to somber start.
News of a long-time teacher's death circulated late Saturday after the principal of Longfellow sent out an email to parents.
Longfellow Middle School sits dark and empty on Easter Sunday.
But a message out front tells you the loss students and staff feel.
It reads: "Ms. Nass, thanks for making a difference in the lives of children. We will miss you."
Eighth grade math teacher, Lisa Nass died unexpectedly at her home, Friday.
She was 42.
"That's just way too young," said Matt Serwe.
He's one of the lives Nass made a lasting impact on. She taught him 12 years ago. And, her style stuck with Serwe.
"Definitely someone I thought very fondly of and of course she was one of my favorites because I have a science and math career so I always had a special place in my heart for science and math teachers."
Serwe remembers Ms. Nass' creativity in the classroom including words of a jingle she used to teach a tough equation back in 8th grade math.
"A lot of us still remember to this day, that song," Serwe says before he goes on to sing it.
Nass was a teacher at Longfellow for 14 years.
Her bio on the school's website shows she also taught 6th grade for many years and grew up in Madison.
Her sudden death is sure to leave current and former students in shock.
"It feels so weird to have someone that could be that instrumental in your life just kind of gone this early."
The medical examiner's office says Nass had some heart conditions but died of natural causes. Longfellow students are on Spring break until next Monday.
The district will have counselors on hand when they return.
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