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Fundraiser launched to help local teacher, her children following husband's death

'She has been through so much in her life and she is obviously grieving, but is being strong for the boys,' says fellow teacher

A GoFundMe page has been started for a Barrie woman who teaches at an Alliston school after her husband died last week from a heart attack, leaving her to raise their two young boys.

Barrie resident Lauren Olsen-Pimentel is a drama teacher at Alliston’s Banting Memorial High School and was getting ready to begin a new school year with her students. Those plans took a tragic turn when her husband, Joseph, passed away Sept. 14.

Olsen-Pimentel’s friend and fellow Banting teacher Julie Robertson started a GoFundMe page to help with memorial costs and other unforeseen expenses for the couple's two children, seven-year-old Lucas and 10-year-old James.

“This past weekend was actually her 40th birthday, so the timing was even more tragic,” Robertson said. “Joseph had planned a whole surprise weekend away for Lauren. It's just so very sad.”

Robertson put the fundraising campaign together in hopes of helping alleviate some of the costs as well as help with the children’s futures.

“I had the target at $35,000 and we reached that, but any help is good. The costs are so high and when you think about what the boys will need for their future, it is just overwhelming,” Robertson said.

Robertson said Olsen-Pimentel is a seasoned drama teacher at Banting Memorial who has provided support, care and opportunities to her students and their families over the years. She now wanted to help provide support to Olsen-Pimentel and her children during this difficult time. 

“This woman is the toughest cookie you could meet," Robertson said. "She has been through so much in her life and she is obviously grieving, but is being strong for the boys. Even at the funeral, which was sad as you would expect, when we got back to her house for food, she convinced everyone to jump in the pool in whatever they were wearing.

"She just wanted everyone to laugh and leave upbeat.”

Despite the recent tragedy, Robertson said Olsen-Pimentel is hoping to return to work next week.

“Her students put together a basket that I brought to her and all she wants is to get back to work. She is so loved by our staff and her students,” Robertson said. “She is that teacher when kids see her name on their timetable, they get all excited to have her.

“I think she needs to get a sense of normalcy back and get her mind moving again. But she is being so strong and I just want to try to help as best I can.” 

The GoFundMe link can be found by clicking here.


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Shawn Gibson

About the Author: Shawn Gibson

Shawn Gibson is a staff writer based in Barrie
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