PARENTS, STUDENTS, family and friends are raising funds to look after two young children left by a supply teacher who died of COVID-19. Courtesy photo.
By STAFF – Many Etobicoke parents and students are mourning the loss of a well-respected teacher who died of COVID-19 leaving two young kids and her hard-hit husband behind.
Area residents have raised almost $70,000 in a Go Fund Me campaign to help raise the two children of supply school teacher Edira Skenduli, who passed away recently from COVID-19.
Edira was a substitute teacher with partial benefits and no life insurance working with the Toronto and Peel District School Boards, her family members said.
They wrote that Edira was 40-years-old when she died of COVID-19 leaving behind children aged 8 and 11.
She also left behind her grieving husband Elton, who is bedridden fighting COVID-19 and ‘trying to stay strong for his children.’
“She was a loving mother, wife, teacher and friend with a big heat and a big believer in God,” according to information on Go Fund Me. “She will be missed early by her kids, family, friends and students.”
Organizer Adna Skenduli said they are concerned for the children.
“We are hoping that with this fundraiser her wishes to build a brighter future for her children will become true,” Adna wrote.
So far about $70,000 has been raised and organizers are hoping to raise $300,000.
Parents and students mourned online that Edira was a great teacher who died too young.
“We will miss you Ms. Skenduli,” wrote student Preeti Chouksey. “You were a great teacher and an amazing human being.”
“Ms. Skenduli was our daughter’s virtual school teacher,” wrote Warren Brown. “Although we never met her in person she reached into our home and hearts.”
He mourned: “Our daughter loved her as a teacher and friend. She was a kind and loving person. We will always remember.”
“Ms. Skenduli was my son’s teacher,” noted Venus Bhatia, who made a substantial donation. “She was one of the kindest, sweetest and considerate people I know.”
Bhatia said ‘she was always there for her students and their families in good and bad times. May her soul rest in peace.”
Members of the Albanian Canadian Community Association have been helping the family.
It is believed the Skenduli family moved from Albania to Canada a number of years ago to start a new life.