Milton Mourns Loss of Beloved Teacher

By Dan Libon and Joe Lipovich

BOSTON, MA - Improbable, even nearly impossible, is perhaps the best way to describe what happened to a Milton school teacher on her way to work Friday.

Caitlin Clavette died just before 7:50 a.m. Friday when a manhole cover became dislodged and flew into her windshield while she was driving through the Tip O’Neill Tunnel on I-93 South.

Clavette, an art teacher, was on her way to Grover Elementary School for work.

“It really is an awful tragedy for the community,” Nathan Lynch, a fellow Winchester High graduate, told Patch.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has yet to determine how the 200-pound manhole cover became dislodged. The incident, however, prompted MassDOT to examine more than 500 manhole covers, sewer grates, and electrical panels on Boston highways, significantly slowing down Friday’s evening commute.

Meanwhile in Milton, emotions started to pour out as the identity of the victim became clear. Milton Public Schools Superintendent Mary C. Gormley confirmed Friday evening that Clavette was the victim.

“Ms. Clavette was a talented and special educator who has touched the lives of many students and families over the past four years in the Milton Public Schools,” Gormely said.

Clavette received a bachelor’s degree in art from William and Mary and her master’s from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Clavette had become a familiar face since arriving in Milton elementary schools in 2011, teaching in all four schools.

At the time of her death, she was a resident of Arlington.

“One thing that always stuck out about her was that even though she was a pretty typical smart, athletic, popular girl; she was friendly to everyone,” Lynch said. “She was never mean or judgmental towards anyone no matter if they were different or not part of the popular crowd.”

Parents also were grieving; Glover was open Saturday for parents to talk to counselors.

“Shocking news about Glover’s beloved art teacher, Caitlin Clavette, who was tragically killed in a car accident. Miss Clavette was loved by her many students and she inspired a love of art in our children. She will be greatly missed in our community,” the Glover PTO wrote online.

Other town departments have also extended their condolences.

“Each day our officers face difficult and hard cases, but the sudden loss of such a bright life, a teacher who filled such a special role in the lives of her young students, tugs at the deepest human emotion in of all of us. Life is fragile and sacred,” the Milton Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.

Funeral services will be held at the Saint Eulalia’s at 50 Ridge Street in Winchester Tuesday at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the same location Monday from 3-7 p.m. Donations may be made to the MSPCA at 350 Huntington Avenue in Boston or mspca.org.

Photo Credit: Glover School PTO