GBS Library Instructional Assistant Dies

GLENVIEW, IL — Glenbrook South High School students, staff and alumni are mourning Tuesday's sudden loss of a beloved library instructional assistant, Joanne Kennedy, who experienced a medical emergency before the school day. She was transported to Glenbrook Hospital and later died, according to an email to parents from GBS Principal Lauren Fagel.

"Joanne was beloved by our students and staff. She cared for the students who visited the library as if they were her own," Fagel said.

Students were notified of Kennedy's passing around 1:45 p.m., and the school has made counselors available to students throughout the coming weeks, according to Fagel's email.

"Her humor, warmth and compassion touched all those who were fortunate enough to know her," Fagel said.

Kennedy was a substitute teacher and library assistant at Glenbrook South since 2006. Prior to that, between 1977 and 1996 she worked a passenger service agent with Air France, according to her Linkedin page and a 2015 article from the school paper.

While being a substitute teacher was not necessarily her "calling," Kennedy enjoyed working in the library because of the ability to reach students outside of a classroom environment, talking to them directly and teaching them to be respectful, she told the Oracle.

"I love the continuity of watching these students grow on a day to day basis to become the incredible humans we all need in this world," Kennedy wrote.

"Meeting students as freshmen and watching them grow into seniors, there's no greater gift than that for me!"

Top photo | Joanne Kennedy | Courtesy Glenbrook South High School District 225