School rocked by sudden death of young teacher and mother-of-two
A high school in the Western Australian city of Kalgoorlie is offering counselling to its students after the sudden and unexpected death of one its teachers.
John Paul College issued a statement on Thursday morning announcing the tragic news that popular teacher Domanique O’Reilly had died.
Principal Bradley Hall said she died after being unwell for a few days.
Mrs O’Reilly, a teacher for the past 13 years, had joined the private Catholic school at the beginning of the year, where she had taught Physical Education and also mentored students in the school’s vocational education and training program.
The young mother, who was affectionately known as ‘Dom’, leaves behind her two children and her husband.
A GoFundMe set up for her family stated that Mrs O’Reilly’s death was sudden and very unexpected.
The crowdfunding page is raising money to help pay for her funeral and to support her husband Nathan and their children.
“Dom is a beautiful, full of life and caring soul who was always there for others and now it’s time to give back to her and her family,” the GoFundMe page said.
One donor wrote: “I've known Dom a long time and I can't even imagine this world without her. She was an unfailingly supportive friend, an incredible mother and just a burst of sunshine into everyone's life.”
Within a few hours of its creation, the page had almost reached $5000 in donations.
News of Mrs O’Reilly’s death was met with shock by the school community, with many students posting tributes online to the much-loved teacher.
“Rest in peace, so glad I had the pleasure to have you as a teacher,” one student said.
Another wrote: “Miss O'Reilly you were one of the best teachers at JPC. Thank you for teaching me all the skills you have, fly high you will be missed.”
Her devastated friends and family remembered Mrs O’Reilly as an outgoing and bubbly person who “kept everyone together”.
“The world is just a little dimmer without your brightness in it Dom. We all miss you,” one woman said.
“Dom... words can not express how we are all feeling,” another friend said. “We will do what ever we can to help your family pull through. Continue being the Angel you always were. We miss you xx”
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