Local News

Hanover teacher dies after sudden illness, leaving husband and three young daughters

“Her passing is an immeasurable loss for all of us.”

October 28, 2019

1 minute to read

A Hanover teacher and mom of three died suddenly last week after a brief illness, according to the school district.Courtney Neville, 36, contracted viral encephalitis; four days after she began to feel sick, she went into a coma and didn’t wake up, according to a GoFundMe online fundraising campaign set up to benefit her husband and three young daughters. She passed away on Wednesday.Neville served as a speech and language pathologist for Hanover’s two elementary schools, according to a statement from Superintendent Matthew Ferron.“As a Speech and Language Pathologist, Courtney dedicated her professional life so that children could share their words, thoughts, and feelings without fear and with the confidence and clarity to challenge the future and live the life of their dreams,” Ferron wrote. “Her passing is an immeasurable loss for all of us.”Counselors were available at Hanover schools for those grieving, according to Ferron.At home, Neville was a mom to three young daughters – Lila, 6, Cora, 5, and four-month-old Louisa, according to the GoFundMe campaign.“Courtney’s elegance, grace, love and calming demeanor was the glue that held her family together,” the fundraiser says.As of around 11:15 a.m. Monday, the campaign has raised nearly $60,000, easily surpassing the original $5,000 goal.“In order to allow the Neville family to focus on grieving, remembering and coping with Courtney’s loss, we are hoping for some help with the funeral, food, clothing, education, child care and counseling costs that may be needed,” the fundraising website says. “This is a nightmare for all of us and something that we could never prepare for.”