Around Oakley: Three local teachers who died last month will be greatly missed

By Roni Gehlke

DURING DECEMBER three Oakley teachers passed away, leaving their current students, as well as past students, to remember them. Most of the students heard of the loss of their teacher right before school left on break in mid-December, but when they came back earlier this week the reality of the loss became that much more apparent as new teachers were arranged to take their place.

Lisa Moyer was a kindergarten teacher at Vintage Parkway School who lost her battle with breast cancer. She passed away on Dec. 14 at the age of 38. She was an Oakley resident and active in her children's groups and organizations, including the Contra Costa Children's Choir and the Aquaknights, a local swim team.

On Dec. 17, Freedom High School drivers' education teacher Charles "Ed" Smith died in a motorcycle accident on Neroly Road in Oakley. In a story written about him after his death in the East County Times, students were quoted as saying they enjoyed Smith's classes. He worked for the Liberty Union High School District for 20 years. He taught at Freedom High School for 10 years of those years. Smith was the announcer at Freedom basketball and football home games.

Ivania (Sequeira) Galindo was in a car accident on Dec. 8 on the corner of Cypress Road and Main Street. At the time she felt pain and was sent to the hospital. While she still felt pain she thought she was OK on Dec. 17 when she let friends know that she would still be hosting a holiday cookie party that Saturday. Sadly, she died suddenly on Dec. 18 from injuries sustained in the accident.

Galindo, 45, was a special-education teacher at Delta Vista Middle School. She taught a class that would help students with various learning and other disabilities.

On Dec. 22, her family held a memorial for Galindo at Delta Vista Middle School, after finding out that their church didn't have enough room for as many people they suspected would attend. Before the service they had thought about 200 people would come. In the end, 450 people attended the memorial service.

I had the chance to get to know Galindo personally a few years back and visited her classroom often. Her smile could light up a room. It takes a lot to be a teacher, but to be a special education teacher takes an extra special person. She was especially proud of her children and gave them 110 percent.

When people die we think of their family and friends and how they are going to handle the loss of the person. When a teacher dies there is a whole other group of people affected by their loss.

Most people remember a teacher from their school days who made a difference in their life. I can remember my first-grade teacher, Miss Shark, and how she spent extra time with me helping me to write because I was left-handed and everyone before her tried to get me to write with my right hand. Remember this was more than 40 years ago.

These teachers made a difference in the lives of Oakley's children every day. They will be missed.

Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.