Oak Lawn Community High School Mourns Senior Who Died Of COVID-19

OAK LAWN, IL — The flag outside of Oak Lawn Community High School was lowered to half-mast in memory of Andy Washack, who died Feb. 26 from complications due to coronavirus. He was 18.

Andy and his brother, Marty, both seniors, were remote learners when the school began in the fall. He entered Advocate Christ Medical Center in early November after contracting COVID-19. He had been on a ventilator on and off since entering the hospital.

School officials found out late last Thursday that Andy had taken a turn for the worst. He died Friday. Social workers and the school counselor went to Andy and his brother Marty’s classes.

OLCHS principal Jeana Lietz said the student’s death has hit the high school hard. Because Andy had been hospitalized for so long, they thought he had a chance of recovering and coming home.

“It’s tough, especially when it's a really good kid,” Lietz said. “He was the kind of kid you wanted in your high school. Andy was kind and funny, and had a big heart.”

Andy had turned 18 on Feb. 14. He loved fishing and a member of the Spartan fishing team. He wasn’t outgoing, but he made a lasting impression on other students and faculty.
Seeing how his death is affecting his peers and brother, is one of the hardest things, Lietz said.

“What keeps you going as an educator is what kids can be in the future. How we can prepare them for the future,” the principal said. “To have a future cut short for a kid is unimaginable. We deal with kids who are so full of life and energy.”

Lietz and other school officials attended the student’s wake Tuesday at Lack And Sons Funeral Home in Hickory Hills, where they joined the long line of mourners who came to pay their respects. The funeral was held on Wednesday. (Read Andy’s obituary).

“Nobody ever prepares you as an administrator or principal for the death of a student,” Lietz said.

The family is requesting memorials in Andy’s name be made to Ronald McDonald House, 1301 22nd Street #905, Oak Brook, IL. 60523 or PAWS Chicago.