Sudden death of Conne River educator stuns community

Nfld. & Labrador·Updated

The principal of St. Anne's High School in Conne River died suddenly on Monday, leaving the community of nearly 900 residents in shock.

Velma Piercey remembered as quiet, loving and hard-working

CBC News · Posted: Nov 19, 2019 12:29 PM NT | Last Updated: November 19

The principal of St. Anne's High School in Conne River died suddenly on Monday, leaving the Indigenous community of nearly 900 residents in shock.

Velma Piercey will be remembered as quiet and hard-working, Miawpukek First Nation Chief Mi'sel Joe told CBC News Tuesday.

“[She was] well loved by everyone. She always had a smile. A very warm-hearted person,” said Joe, who learned of her death on Monday evening after he finished a flight. 

“I'll never forget how devastated I was yesterday evening when I got off the plane in Toronto,” Joe said.

Joe could not confirm the cause of death, and added he did not want to speculate.

Classes have been cancelled for the school's roughly 180 students.

The Conne River Health & Social Service's Mental Health Team, along with staff members at Se't A'newey Kina'matino'kuom are available for students, staff, or community members who want to talk, according to a Miawpukek First Nation post on Facebook. 

“It hurts the whole community. …The death in a small aboriginal community, everybody feels the impact of it,” Joe said.

“This is one of those, when it's so sudden, by someone who was cared for so much by people in the community.”

Joe said he would forge ahead with his presentation on Tuesday, but added is heart is in Conne River with the rest of the community. He's expecting to be home on Wednesday.

Read more articles from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador

Free Traffic Real Traffic At Your Finger Tips

Get Traffic With Zero Money Down

Join with bonus

Subscribe to Centenunlimited news

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe