Connecticut School Shooting Local Tie to Vestal High School

Mary Sherlach didn't think twice when she, along with Principal Dawn Hochsprung, rushed a shooter that walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday morning. She just did it. It bought time for teachers, who heard the commotion on the PA system, to protect their classes. She died doing what she loved, helping children.

Now, as investigators are trying to answer questions, we discover that this brave woman has a local tie. Mary (Greene) Sherlach graduated from Vestal High School in 1974. According to the Ithaca Journal, Mary was an "all American girl" while at Vestal. She was a cheerleader, in the Color Guard, in Alpha Gamma Hi-Y and on the Yearbook committee. She was popular and well liked.

Mary Sherlach went on to graduate with a Bachelor's degree from SUNY Cortland in 1978. She and her husband, William, still had a lake home in the Finger Lakes.

By all accounts, according to various press outlets, Mary Sherlach's passion was helping children overcome problems and help them become healthy, happy kids. Her son-in-law, Eric Shwartz, is quoted by the Ithaca Journal as saying “Mary felt like she was doing God’s work,” he said, “working with the children.”

To those in the area that grew up with and were touched by Mary Greene Sherlach, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Take comfort in the fact that she perished doing what she loved.

Please share your memories of Mary here.