WYOMING, MI – The Godfrey-Lee School District family is mourning the death of an employee and parent Tracy Cashman, who was found dead Sunday, Dec. 9 in a pond after attempting to rescue her dog.

Cashman, 38, the married mother of three children, had worked for the district since 2012. She began her career in food service before transitioning to the role of Administrative Assistant to the Director of Operations, Transportation, and Food service.

On Monday, Dec. 10, Superintendent Kevin Polston said Cashman had “a big heart for kids,’’ in a press release.

“She was quick to notice a student that needed a smile or an extra hand,’’ he said. “Students found her to be a trusted friend at school that they could count on when they needed her.’’

The Kent County Medical Examiner concluded that Cashman had accidentally fallen through the ice at Battjes Park Saturday, Dec. 8, trying to rescue her dog after it had fallen into the pond during their nightly walk. Her dog returned home without her, prompting the search.

“She was a dedicated and loyal employee, who constantly put the needs of students and families at the forefront of her thoughts and actions,’’ Polston said. “She embodied the district’s core values of Community, Equity, Excellence, Human Centered, and Relationships.’’

Cashman’s family said she “loved animals, the outdoors, and most of all her family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her,’’ according to her obituary.

The funeral is scheduled for a 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Lee Street Christian Reformed Church, 1261 Lee St. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, located at 4145 Chicago Dr. SW in Grandville, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m.

Those wishing to make financial contributions to support the family with funeral expenses can donate online to the Go Fund Me page set up by her family.

On Friday, the 1,893-student district will be closed to allow staff to attend the funeral service. On Monday, the district had a half-day of school for students to support them and staff during this difficult time.

“We wanted our students to hear the message about Tracy from a trusted adult in a setting where we could provide resources for them if needed,’’ Polston said.

“Students throughout the district utilized Crisis Team support and we are thankful for our Administrators, Counselors, Social Workers, School Psychologist, Kent School Services Network staff, and community partners, to comfort students.”

Polston said the half-day schedule for students and full day schedule for staff also allowed for dedicated time to provide grief support to staff.

“We know for our children to receive the best education possible, our staff needs to be emotionally healthy as well,’’ he said, about providing a healthy outlet for staff to begin to process the grief of losing a friend and colleague.

While out of the spotlight, school leaders said Cashman had an important job.

For example, she was responsible for coordinating the transportation for all students in the district in a safe and efficient manner. She also was charged with processing meal benefits applications to allow for students to receive free breakfast and lunch.

Cashman had recently passed her certification test to be a bus driver and was nearly complete with her road hours to earn licensure, according to the district. School leaders say this was another example of her commitment to the district, as finding substitute bus drives is challenging.

Polston said she was a loyal and dedicated employee.

"The district asks for continued thoughts and prayers for the family as they grieve the loss of Tracy,'' he said.

Cashman is survived by her husband, Jerome "Jerry'' See, and children Scott, Haley, and Hannah See, and her mother, Rhonda Moore, among other family.