Alanna was a teaching assistant in the third grade inclusion classroom at Peirce. In March 2012, she was on vacation in Florida with her husband when the building she was in was hit by an out of control automobile. She was seven months pregnant, and both she and her baby died. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the DeMella family.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to the charity Pitching in for Kids.

The memorial tree for Mrs. DeMella, a weeping cherry, was planted by her third-grade class near the Peirce School sign in front of the school.

(All images courtesy of and copyright Elizabeth Orrell and may not be copied without permission.)

Resources

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s reactions to this loss, feel free to contact the school’s counselor or administrative staff at 781-316-3736, Arlington Youth Counseling Center at 781-316-3255, or Advocates Psychiatric Emergency Service at 781-893-2003.

The Children’s Room in Arlington also has valuable resources for children who are grieving a loss.