West Orange Teacher Returns To Work After Battling Cancer

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Liberty Middle School family of teachers, administrators and students recently celebrated the life of colleague and local English teacher Kim DeMeo at a powderpuff football game that raised funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation in her honor.

According to a school news release, DeMeo was diagnosed in 2015 with breast cancer and after several surgeries and chemotherapy is now cancer-free. She returned to work in September after a one-year absence.

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DeMeo has been married to her husband Jason for ten years and the couple has five-year-old twin daughters, Sydney and Miranda, school administrators stated.

In addition to teaching, DeMeo is also the author of the children’s book “One Little Egg,” which tells about the couple’s long journey to conception via egg donorship.

School administrators stated that the powderpuff flag football extravaganza featured two all-female teams of teachers and students who waged a friendly battle, while the all-male cheerleading team rallied the crowds.

The gamed ended in a 21-21 tie.

In addition to raising more than $500 for Komen, photos of the event will be sent to the NFL as part of Liberty’s participation in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.

“I am so appreciative of Bob Klemt and Michelle Martino’s support and to Sue Zaccaro for organizing such an amazing event,” DeMeo said.

“I am so happy to be back at work with my LMS family,” DeMeo said. “Their love and support is definitely what got me through such a terrible year, including breast cancer and the sudden death of my dad. Our Liberty kids are incredible… they have shown love and empathy throughout all of this. Their support has been truly amazing. I'm so proud to say that I am a West Orange public school teacher.”

Photos: Cynthia Cumming

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