Greenwich Raises Over $50K After Death Of Beloved School Employee

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich community has rallied to raise more than $50,000 following the unexpected death of a beloved Western Middle School employee.

Patty de Mata, the administrative assistant at WMS, died unexpectedly on April 29.

As of Friday afternoon, a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral and memorial expenses had raised $50,585, surpassing the original goal of $50,000; the campaign was launched by the WMS PTA. A memorial service was held on Thursday at the Greenwich Water Club.

"Patty brought positivity to WMS every day by supporting each and every parent, student, and staff member that she came in contact with," the fundraiser's description says. "She was a wonderful colleague, friend and mother. Patty was a ray of sunshine and had a bright smile every day. She will be greatly missed by all of us."

Additionally, the WMS PTA said in an update it will start a college fund/529 for de Mata's daughters — Sarah, an 11th grader at Greenwich High School, and Sophia, an eighth-grader at WMS.

"The WMS PTA together with GPS and community resources, will manage the additional funds to ensure they directly benefit Sarah and Sophia with any immediate and long term financial needs," the fundraiser description says.

View the GoFundMe campaign and donate here.