Fundraiser Helping Gloucester Twp. Teacher After Wife's Passing

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A fundraiser is underway to help a Gloucester Township behavioral disabilities teacher who recently lost his wife to Crohn’s Disease.

Kristine Henle-Blank passed away on Nov. 28 with family by her side, campaign organizer Mary Szczur wrote on the GoFundMe page.

“Her time on earth will always be a cherished memory by everyone she encountered,” Szczur wrote. “Kris was a strong woman with lots to offer the world, patience, humility, love, guidance, understanding, and talent. She is immensely loved and will be greatly missed.”

Szczur was friends with both Kristine Henle-Blank and her husband, Chris, since the time she met them while teaching 15 years ago. She told Patch she had become close with Henle-Blank over the last nine years.

"Kris was extremely loved by everyone, and many people were surprised because they didn't even know she was sick," Szczur said. "What struck me was that every time she went in for a surgery, she was always worried about getting home to take care of her children. She never stopped, she never complained, and she never appeared to be sick. It's such a tragic loss."

She had several surgeries while she was sick. After a recent surgery to remove her colostomy bag, she was left fighting for her life on a ventilator. She passed away on Saturday.

The page was originally launched to help her combat the disease. With her passing, the page now turns its focus toward helping her husband, Chris, pay an abundance of bills while dealing with lost wages during this difficult time of year.

Blank has worked in the Gloucester Township K-8 Public School District for more than 10 years, according to James W. Lilley Elementary School Counselor Ryan Berry.

“He hasn’t taken a day off through all this. He continues to teach remotely,” Berry told Patch. “He’s a great, dedicated teacher, and everyone adores him.”

His wife also worked with disabled and special needs children for more than a decade, Berry said. She was diagnosed in her late teenage years. While she was undergoing multiple surgeries for her Crohn’s Disease, they both cared for their two boys and a daughter that has multiple disabilities.

“While many have watched and known of these health conditions that have had Kris sick and in pain, any regular person on the street many never have known because she smiles and keeps going without a complaint,” Szczur wrote before Henle-Blank passed. “She is truly a ‘Wonder Woman.’"

As of Wednesday afternoon, $12,420 had been raised. To make a donation, visit gofundme.com.