The Madison community is preparing to say goodbye to Erin West, the 42-year-old teacher tragically killed in a school shooting last week at Abundant Life Christian School. WISN reports that a funeral is set for this afternoon, offering friends, family, and students the chance to honor her memory. West, from DeForest, had served the school for over six years before the shooting occurred last Monday.
Known for her engagement in the community, particularly at Doxa Church, and for her love of camping and attending school sporting events, West leaves behind her husband and three daughters. The visitation will commence at Doxa Church at 10 a.m., with the funeral service scheduled for noon, according to details shared by FOX6 News. Those who cannot attend in person will have the option to join virtually, as the service will be live-streamed online.
Another victim of the shooting, student Rubi Vergara, also lost her life that day, further devastating the local community. Still reeling from the sudden violence, individuals find solace in their shared bereavement and in remembering the mark West left on her students and peers. Pastor Rob Warren of Doxa Church, offering insight into the community's loss, stated in Spectrum News that “She was a person of action,” revealing the determination with which West approached both her faith and work as an educator.
During the raw aftermath of the incident, Warren expressed the family's desire for West's funeral to reflect her faith and the life she lived—a simple service for a woman who prioritized action over words. “It’s awful. I wish I didn’t have to do it,” Warren told Spectrum News regarding the difficulty of presiding over the funeral of a friend. However, she assures, amid the deep sorrow, there is “a glimmer of hope and light and comfort in the midst of such darkness."
