Aelysche Maher: beloved Farmingdale elementary teacher, 31
by Tiffany Elliott
The family of Aelysche Marie Maher always had feeling she'd be an educator. From a young age, the Head of the Harbor-St. James resident loved teaching; she volunteered at her church camp, was a reading tutor and learned sign language so she could work with hearing impared children. The Farmingdale teacher died unexpectedly of liver failure on October 4, 2007 at the age of 31.

Described by her family as optimistic, happy and joyful, she became a licensed funeral director to help with the family business, St. James Funeral Home, and later graduated from Dowling College and Columbia University Teacher's Colleges. At 21, she began her teaching career in a private preschool in Commack and moved to the Farmingdale School District where she was a kindergarten teacher for the last eight years at Northside Elementary and Stanley Salzman East Memorial Schools. This year she was teaching first grade at Salzman.

"She was a phenomenal, well respected teacher who was loved by all the students and their parents," said the principal of Salzman, Eve Dieringer. "Our entire Salzman community is very saddened and we will miss her."

Ms. Maher leaves behind her parents who nicknamed her "Tinker Bell": Deacon Ken and Betty of St. James; her siblings: Kerry J. and Ken Jr. and his fiancee, Kate all of St. James; her grandparents: James and Florence of St. James; her uncle, Dr. James W. of Louisiana; as well as many friends, families and students. She was predeceased by her grandparents, Florence and Al Levin and her uncle, Deacon Edward C. Maher.

She reposed at the St. James Funeral Home on October 7 and 8, 2007. A Funeral Mass was held October 9, 2007 at Sts. Philip and James R.C. Church followed by interment at St. James Episcopal Cemetery in St. James.

Donations in Ms. Maher's name can be sent to the Aelysche Marie Maher Memorial Fund c/o Sts. Philip & James R.C. Church, 1 Carrow Place, St. James, New York 11780.

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