September 2, 2011
Principals substitute so teachers can attend student’s funeral
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
The death of an 11-year-old girl prompted an outpouring of compassion at Resurrection School in Evansville where she was in the sixth grade, and throughout the schools of the Diocese of Evansville.
Victoria Grace Allen, the daughter of John and Lynette Allen of Evansville, died Aug. 24 from Type 1 Diabetes complications. She had lived with Type I Diabetes from age two.
Victoria was an active member of her school and parish. She served at Mass and was actively involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for six years. She played soccer and volleyball. She was active in Girl Scouts and Jan’s School of Dance.
Her funeral Mass was to be held on Friday, Sept. 2, at Resurrection Church, officiated by Father Phil Kreilein, with entombment in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Theresa Berendes, Resurrection principal, sent out an email to all the principals in the diocese asking if they could come and substitute in the classrooms that day for her teachers so they can attend the funeral.
“When Theresa said she had great response from the principals I kept thinking about what great Christian men and women we have leading our schools,” said Daryl Hagan, superintendent of the Catholic schools in the diocese.
Victoria is survived by her parents, a brother, Christian, sisters, Claire and Sophia. Her grandparents are John and Brenda Allen and Steven and Diana Reine.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions may be made to any Old National Bank branch to the Victoria Grace Allen Fund. Condolences may be made online at www.Alex-anderWestChapel.com.