Madison College Instructor, Daughter, Die in Hawaii

MADISON, WI — A wave of grief is surging through Madison as loved ones and colleagues learn of the loss of Amy Gannon, 47, and her daughter Jocelyn, 13, in a helicopter crash in Hawaii. Their identities were confirmed by the Kauai Police Department.

Gannon was a longtime faculty member and former Interim Dean of Edgewood College. In a statement released on the college's Facebook page, interim president Mary Ellen Gevelinger said,“Amy was such an energetic and positive presence on our campus for many years. Her work empowering women with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for excellence both in and out of the classroom are her lasting legacy. Our prayers today are with her family and all who loved her.”

The Madison-area Urban Ministry also posted a tribute to Gannon, saying that she had donated her time to a major initiative that will be unveiled in 2020.

Gannon was featured in a profile article in January that highlighted the Doyenne Group, a nonprofit created by Gannon and Heather Wentler to empower women entrepreneurs.

Jocelyn was an eighth grader at Hamilton Middle School, according to reports. The school district has pledged to have support in place at the school library on Monday, and urged parents to talk with their children about death and loss.

>>Related: Missing Hawaii Tour Helicopter Found; 6 Confirmed Dead

Amy and Jocelyn Gannon were among seven people presumed dead when a tourist helicopter went down Thursday evening. Six bodies have been recovered and a search continues for the seventh person, who is missing. The helicopter was on a sightseeing tour when it disappeared.