School Teacher Dies Suddenly From Flu Complications

SWAMPSCOTT (CBS) – The community is mourning the loss of a popular teacher in Swampscott who has died from the flu. Phyllis Gotlib, 68, had taught music to elementary school students in town since 1999. She died Wednesday after she became ill over the weekend, the superintendent said in a letter to parents. Students were told about the death Thursday. “Phyllis was a wonderful person loved by everyone. She brought music into the lives of so many children in Swampscott and Marblehead. We are shocked and saddened and can’t express how much we will miss her,” her family said in a statement Thursday afternoon. Parents admit it’s been a difficult conversation with their children. “Definitely there was sadness this morning, you know, discussing issues at the breakfast table,” parent Grace Callahan said. Phyllis Gotlib. (Family photo) “Phyllis was both a kind and generous colleague, always greeting you with a smile and kind word. She was a bright light, with great sense of humor, a passion for music and her students. She will be sorely missed,” said Swampscott Superintendent Pamela Angelakis, who wrote that Gotlib touched the lives of “thousands of students.” “She was the picture of health.” Neighbor says of Swampscott music teacher Phyllis Gotlib who died suddenly from complications of the flu. #wbz — Beth Germano (@BethWBZ) January 18, 2018 Her obituary in ItemLive.com said Gotlib passed away suddenly “due to complications from t...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Syndicated Local Flu Flu Deaths Local TV Phyllis Gotlib Swampscott Source Type: news