Obituary of Jill Ellen Haggerty

Jill Ellen Haggerty died suddenly, peacefully in her sleep, on Saturday, January 25, 2025.  Jill was a resident of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.  She was 34 years old.

Jill was born in Princeton, New Jersey and grew up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.  She was a graduate of Lawrence High School.  Jill graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a degree in Elementary Education, and received a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Johns Hopkins University.  After graduating from college, Jill pursued her passion for educating young children by teaching at KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Public Schools, a national network of public charter schools that serve primarily inner city, low-income minority students.  She taught in Baltimore, Maryland and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  At the time of her death, Jill was an Assistant Principal at KIPP West Philadelphia Elementary Academy.

Jill is survived by her parents, Dan and Janice Haggerty, her three brothers and their spouses, Timothy and Courtney Haggerty, Patrick and Ashley Haggerty, John and Lisa Haggerty, and her six much loved nieces and nephews, Cate, Graeme, Bennett, Riley, Lily, and Liam.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held for Jill on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 11:00 AM at The Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

Interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamilton.

There will be a visitation Friday morning from 9-11AM at the church.

Jill will be remembered for her positivity, quirkiness, kindness, generosity, love, and dedication to and for her family, friends, students, and co-workers.  She was loved by many and will be missed and remembered by all who knew her.

Tribute to Jill

Sean Tucker, Principal, KIPP West Philadelphia Elementary Academy

January 26, 2025

Good afternoon to both our Baby West Family and our full extended family, wherever and whoever you are.

I am reaching out today devastated and heartbroken.  Jill Haggerty, our beloved Assistant Principal, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  There are no real words that can express either the depths of my despair or the profound impact that Jill had on my life and the lives of all she knew, but I am here to try to speak on both all the same.

Ms. Haggerty joined the Baby West team in 2018 as a 1st Grade teacher.  From the very start, Jill made an instant impact on all she came in contact with.  She exuded kindness and selflessness in her work and in every interaction she had.  She was entirely dedicated and committed to the growth and success of her students and later her teachers as she took her step into school leadership in 2019.  It is hard for me to adequately describe the type of difference she made in our school setting.  What I want everyone to know fully is that Jill was the quintessential educator.  Her success came from the success of those around her.  She was a talented teacher and servant leader.  Baby West would not be what it is today without Jill Haggerty.

As I sit here and think about her though, I simply think of my friend.  She was my “sunshine” here, just like she was the sunshine for so many others.  Every person who has ever met Jill can tell you a story of a time where when they needed someone the most, she was there.  Her hugs, her hand-written notes, her oft-used phrases of “sweet angel” and “sunshine”, her talks, and her incredibly delicious baked goods could brighten up even the darkest of days or circumstances.  She gave of herself with her full heart, and we are all better for it.  She is truly the best of all of us, and I will forever miss and cherish my friend.

As we step into this darkness and grief together, we will hold each other close, as Jill would have wanted.  Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.  Jill was a devoted and loved daughter, sister, and aunt.  Her family meant the world to her and I want to make sure they know they always have a family in us as well.  Keep her KIPP Baltimore family in your hearts, the place she started her journey as an educator.  I know just as she impacted so many lives here with us, she did the same there.  Hold her family at KIPP North Philadelphia Academy close.  Her service as the Principal there during School Year 23-24 was incredibly important to her.  She loved her students and staff there deeply and I know she is rooting you on from above.   Lastly, please think of her friends.  She had a wide network of people who she cared for and who cared for her.  She is watching over all of us now.

Tomorrow, we will be cancelling school for students as we process and grieve as a Baby West team.  Students will return to school on Tuesday.  We will continuously make space and provide resources for kids and adults alike for the difficult days, weeks, and months ahead.  Ms. Haggerty made an indelible impact on the lives of our KIPPsters and I know many will be greatly affected by her loss.  We are here, and will continue to be, together.  I am attaching resources that may be helpful in speaking with our kids on this loss and the accompanying grief that will undoubtedly follow.  Please note that our plan will be to also close school if/when Jill’s memorial services fall on a school day.

As I have been navigating the past 24 hours, I came across a clip of a person speaking on the grief felt with the loss of his mother.  In it, he stated that grief is an emotion he wants to and needs to experience, because grief is a form of unexpressed love.  Love that we are now unable to share, things that we are now unable to say.  We must grieve now together and not ever forget who Jill was to all of us.  We will express our love for her through our love for each other.

Jill, you are our sweet angel.  We will bring your spirit into all we do and work to make the world better, just as you always did.  We hope to make you proud.