NJ Mom Of Triplets Dies, Collapsed At Back To School Night: Cops

The sudden death of a mother of triplets at a "Back to School" night event left a New Jersey community in shock on Friday, with some describing her as a "huge pillar" because of her courage and tenacity in fighting a dangerous disease.

Danielle Tessaro Convertino, the mother of 8th-grade triplets who was supposed to turn 44 years old this week but suffered from Lupus, collapsed around 7 p.m. in Waldwick's middle school parking lot, according to police.

Emergency personnel arrived on the scene and, when her condition began to deteriorate, Convertino was transported to The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood where she was pronounced dead, police said.

"Danielle was 'my person .... my 'soul sista,' said her friend, Lauren DeCanio Marco, adding that Convertinowas one of her first friends when she moved to Waldwick.

"We raised our kids together. We vacationed together. We texted each other every day. We went out on the weekends with and without our husbands. We laughed together constantly. We trusted each other completely," she said.

"I am completely crushed. God put her in my path for a reason. She made me a better person. I will mourn her death until I join her."

Convertino, who was married and had two girls and a boy, all 13, also had heart problems, according to friends and family. A GoFundMe page was recently set up for Convertino, saying she was fighting a major health issue "that has taken over her life."

The page had exceeded its first goal of raising $20,000. The goal was raised to $50,000 on Friday, and the amount of money raised was fast approaching the new benchmark.

Convertino was in-and-out of the hospital trying to fight the disease, according to the GoFundMe page.

"Most recently, she was hospitalized because she has a mass in her chest that is painful, dangerous, and needs to be removed as soon as possible," the page said.

Eight months ago, Convertino was back in the hospital because she had fluid around her heart, according to GoFundMe. Doctors tried to reduce the fluid by giving her medication.

"This go-around has been very trying for Danielle, as she has been battling with tremendous chest pain," the page said. "We are praying she gets well quickly and is released soon because her family wants her home.

"Her children miss her BIG TIME, as does her husband. Steven has been, and continues to be the 'glue' to this family, making sure everything is running smoothly for the triplets, while working every free chance he gets," according to the page.

The page asked people to pray for the family.

"The overwhelming response to Danielle is honestly no surprise because people want to give to the MOST giving person in town," according to the page. "Danielle is always there for whoever needs help at whatever time of day the help is needed."

One of her neighbors, Tara Peckio, told Patch that she would like to help organize a Lupus event in Convertino's memory. "She was a huge pillar of the community and there will be a hole that will not be filled without her," she said.

Friends and family were paying tribute to Convertino on Facebook on Friday:

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch