'Beautiful inside and out': Troy community mourns elementary teacher, killed in crash
She was a mother figure to students, actively involved in booster clubs and sports teams.
The Troy Area School District and the greater Troy community are mourning the loss of longtime teacher Christine Woodward, 47, who was killed Feb. 11 in a two-vehicle crash on state Route 6 in Sullivan Township.
Those who knew Woodward turned to social media to share memories after news of her death was announced.
She was "always smiling and kind with her upbeat attitude," they said, a "graceful woman," and "a kind soul with a giving heart."
"I just loved the way she was everyone's mom on the sports teams. She was very involved with sports," said longtime friend Cheri Burbage Thomas. "All three of her children excelled in sports and she loved being there, taking pictures of the kids on the team, cheering them on. She was beautiful inside and out."
How Troy teacher is remembered
Woodward was born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania and graduated from Bald Eagle Nittany High School in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania in 1993.
She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Mansfield University in 1997, before earning her master's degree from Wilkes University, according to her obituary.
Woodward also played basketball at Mansfield and carried her love of sports into her teaching career.
Woodward taught in the Elmira City School District for seven years and the Philadelphia School District for two years. For the past 15 years, she has worked as an elementary teacher in the Troy Area School District, teaching in East Troy, W.R. Croman and Troy Intermediate schools.
She was president of the Trojan 3 Point Club, and a huge supporter of Lady Trojan basketball, Trojan football and Trojan Wrestling Booster Club.
"Her passion for education was evident daily," Troy school Superintendent Janilyn Elias said in a message to the community. "She taught her students with high expectations and great flourish. This is a somber time for all of us."
Public safety3 people killed, 1 critically injured in car-pedestrian crash in Town of Newark Valley
For subscribersHow many new homes must your town OK to meet NY Gov. Hochul's targets? Check our database
PoliticsNY counties warn of tax increases if state withholds $626M in federal Medicaid funding
Benefit dinner will support Woodward's family
Woodward died after her vehicle collided with a Jeep Cherokee driven by off-duty state Trooper Michael J. Brown, also of Troy, on state Route 6 in Sullivan Township.
Brown tried to pull Woodward from her vehicle but was impeded by flames that erupted after the crash, state police said. He is recovering from his injuries at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.
Woodward's death is a devastating loss to Troy and surrounding communities, Thomas said.
"She had a beautiful smile and caring eyes that would just make you smile. Her students loved her and she loved them," she said. "She would help the children in any way possible. She was the sweetest soul. A mutual friend describes her as angelic. That is the perfect word to describe Chris."
A spaghetti dinner to benefit Woodward's family is open to the public and is planned for 3 to 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Troy Vets Club, 183 Veterans Drive.
Woodward, is survived by her three children, as well as her mother, brother, nephews, many aunts and uncles, cousins and her chocolate lab, according to her obituary.
Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Christine Woodard remembered: Troy, PA teacher killed in Route 6 crash
