Obituaries
Fundraiser Launched For Rockaway 6th Grader Who Passed Away Wednesday
A GoFundMe has been established to help the family of a Rockaway sixth grader who died unexpectedly this week.
ROCKAWAY, NJ — Following her unexpected death, a GoFundMe has been established to financially help the family of Mallory Grossman, a Rockaway Township sixth grader.
"As many of you know, our community has suffered a terrible loss. Many are asking what they can do to help," Katee Reddin Petro wrote on GoFundMe. "Bianca and I thought that we and us as a community can help by taking the financial burden of funeral expenses off of the Grossman family. We want to help them give Mallorey [sic] the beautiful memorial she deserves."
The GoFundMe shares pictures of Grossman competing in gymnastics and smiling in a cheerleading uniform. She was in the sixth grade at Copeland Middle School, according to her Instagram account.
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The fundraiser has a $20,000 goal, and nearly $21,000 was raised in the first three hours it was online.
Friends shared condolences on Twitter, saying she will be "forever missed."
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Rest In Peace to this beautiful angel Star loves you fae* you will never be forgotten xo pic.twitter.com/3egwfQsAvM
— lexii (@LexiSytsmaa) June 16, 2017
Rip Mallory. You will forever be missed
— Teresa Antunes (@terantunes) June 15, 2017
RIP Mallory heaven gained an angel
— Elizabeth Vespucci (@evvespucci0919) June 16, 2017
We've had an unfortunate loss and many are asking what they can do to help... We are working on a few things but... https://t.co/V6bKliwMLU
— Star Athletics Cheer (@STAR_TeamStar) June 16, 2017
The superintendent for Rockaway Township Schools, Greg McGann, announced a student death on Thursday, omitting her name. Police were at Copeland Middle School on Thursday as part of an investigation. McGann said it was "standard protocol."
McGann and the Rockaway Township Police Department have not yet returned Patch's requests for comment.
You can read McGann's full letter here:
Dear Rockaway Township School Community,
As Superintendent of Schools, it is with deep sadness that I inform you our school community has experienced a tragedy. A middle school student died suddenly on the evening of Wednesday, June 14, 2017.
The death of the student is the subject of an investigation by the appropriate authorities. This is standard protocol, and the District is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities regarding their investigation.
Please understand the District is not at liberty to share any details regarding this terrible occurrence. On behalf of the school District, I strongly urge you to respect the privacy of the family involved.
The District has implemented a wide array of support services for students, parents, and staff as our community copes with this tragedy.
The District is fully committed to addressing this matter with all available resources.
Thank you very much for your anticipated cooperation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Greg McGann
Read more: Rockaway Middle Schooler Passes Away
Images via GoFundMe
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