Pennsylvania

Lancaster Teacher Remembered as Joyful, Supportive, Creative

A sixth-grade teacher killed in an alleged burglary of her Pennsylvania house is being remembered as a woman who lived joyfully and supported her friends.

About 200 people gathered in Nicole Mathewson's hometown of Owego, New York, for a memorial service on Saturday.

Authorities found Mathewson's body on Dec. 15 at her house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy and a 25-year-old man.

The boy has told police they were trying to rob Mathewson, and he and his accomplice "applied force" to the woman.

Authorities say she died of several traumatic injuries.

The 32-year-old teacher worked for seven years at Brownstown Elementary School. Mourners on Saturday said Mathewson taught with creativity, enthusiasm and passion.

"She was an excellent teacher, an exemplary employee and a respected colleague, especially in the area of mathematics," wrote Superintendent Gerald Huesken in a statement on the school's website. "Her loss is a terrible tragedy for our school district and our community. She will be greatly missed."

Another memorial service is planned for Jan. 3 in Lancaster.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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