Hundreds Mourn Student,Teacher Killed In Paramus School Bus Crash

PARAMUS, NJ — It was standing-room only at Our Lady of The Visitation. People overflowed out into the church courtyard at a memorial service for Miranda Faith Vargas and Jennifer Williamson-Kennedy.

Williamson, 51, and Vargas, 10, were a teacher and student at East Brook Middle School. They were killed when the school bus they were in collided with a dump truck on Interstate 80 on their way to Waterloo Village. Forty-three others were injured in the crash, many of them critically.

People spoke highly of Williamson-Kennedy and the dedication she showed to her students.

"She was so dedicated to her students and to her school," said one woman who did not want to give her name. "Her students were her kids. She loved every student she ever taught."

Others agreed.

"Anyone who knew her knew that teaching and her students were her first love," said another parent who wished to remain anonymous. "It's just so sad, for everyone involved."

Williamson-Kennedy, 51, was a 20-year teaching veteran. Former student Nick Daurio expressed his sadness on Twitter Thursday night. She is survived by her husband, Kevin Kennedy, mother Dolores Williamson, and brother Douglas Williams. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of The Visitation.

"One of my old teachers passed in that horrific accident I just want to pray for everyone," Daurio said. "RIP Ms. Williamson."

Vargas, 10, is survived by her parents, a twin sister, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.

"I didn't know her, but all people have been saying about her is what a sweet girl she was," one parent at the memorial said. "We have to keep her family in our thoughts and prayers."

Related:

• Paramus Girl Still Critical Following School Bus Crash
• GoFundMe Campaign Launched To Help East Brook Middle School
• Memorial Created At East Brook Middle School Following Deaths
• Paramus Community Mourns Dedicated Teacher Killed In Crash
• Teacher, Student Confirmed Dead In Paramus Field Trip Bus Crash
• Community Starts #ParamusStrong Hashtag In Wake Of Fatal Crash

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Photos: Attendees stand outside of and make their way into Our Lady of Visitation Sunday night for a service in memory of the two people killed in the Paramus school bus crash last week, Miranda Faith Vargas and Jennifer Williamson-Kennedy. (By Daniel Hubbard, Patch staff)