​Lauren Tenaglia, 1997 Neshaminy Grad, Passes Away at 37

Lauren N. Tenaglia passed away at home on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. She was 37.

Born on March 14, 1979 in Middletown Township, she was the cherished daughter of Robin L. and Meade Tenaglia and beloved wife of Thomas Kurtz for the past 8 years.

Lauren graduated from Neshaminy High School in 1997 and in January of 2002 she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education from Temple University where she was a member of Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority. She received her Masters of Education degree from Holy Family University and was also a Certified Reading Specialist.

Lauren began her teaching career in February of 2002 at Parkway Elementary School in the Ewing School District. She later moved to Fisher Middle School in Ewing where she taught autistic, LD and MD students. Lauren was named Teacher of the Year in 2010.

Her passion to teach and enrich the students was astounding. She dedicated her life to each and every one of her "kids". She was a force in the Autism walk-a-thon, Special Olympics and various school functions. Lauren recently developed a drama program at Fisher Middle School with the first production of "Annie" in 2015 and "The Wizard of Oz" in 2016. One of her primary goals of the program was to include regular and special education students in the productions which she did with ease. Both plays were outstanding.

Lauren is the dedicated and supportive sister of Stephen M., Christopher (Rebecca), Kennan (Lauren), Trevor (Jillian), and Marco.

She is the loving aunt of Kyla, Zyia, Braydon, Taylor and Finn.

Lauren will also be sadly missed by her paternal grandparents, Albert J. and Mary E. Tenaglia, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She is also survived by her beloved Boxer, Diesel.

Lauren was preceded in death by her sister, Kara.

Family and friends are invited to call from 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan 6th and from 9:30 until 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan 7th at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Rd., Levittown where her memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lauren Tenaglia Memorial Scholarship Fund, payable to EPEF and mailed to Ewing Township Public Education, Inc., P.O. Box 7033, Ewing, NJ 08628 or online at www.epef.org, designations Lauren Tenaglia Memorial Scholarship Fund.