SANDY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Friends and family are mourning the loss of a woman many said was a pillar in the Salt Lake community. Monday morning they paid tribute to her at an elementary school in Sandy, where she had been the PTA president.
Parents dropping off their children at Willow Canyon Elementary Monday morning were greeted by a small army.
“I heard it was going to happen, but I didn't have any idea there would be the multitude that were here this morning,” said Lona Mae Lauritzen, mother of LuAnne Gustafson.
All of them teachers, students, and friends of LuAnne Gustafson, who died in car accident Thursday night in Wyoming, along with her father-in-law.
"The day that we all found out, there was just this outcry of what can we do to support her, so we came up with this,” said Todd Theobald, Principal at Willow Canyon Elementary School.
Many knew Gustafson in the PTA, but for the last 10 years she also directed traffic in the school’s drop-off zone.
“All the kids knew her, all the parents knew her, she was here regardless of the weather, we loved her,” said Lisa Gee, friend of Gustafson.
So Monday, they banded together to show their support for their beloved friend.
“I really love her and it's going to be hard not to see her,” Betty Shaw, fellow PTA member.
“Besides all these people lined up here who care so much for my daughter, I want you to know that I love her with all my heart. She's been a wonderful, wonderful daughter, and wonderful friend,” said Lauritzen.
“It takes all of us to make up for LuAnne Gustafson,” said Theobald.
Monday, all of them were there.
Gustafson not only was the former PTA President at Willow Canyon Elementary she also was the President at Eastmont Middle School, and most recently Jordan High School.
