Update: 2:30 p.m.: More details emerged today as Temecula Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Melanie Norton confirmed that the accident happened in Temecula late Friday at a local farm.
Read Memorial grows as staff, students mourn loss of Vail Ranch MS administrator
According to Norton, it is believed that Graesser was riding on a tractor when it flipped. Graesser succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Norton also confirmed that Temecula Police Chief Andre O’Harra called Temecula Valley Unified School District School Superintendent Tim Ritter to inform him of the accident on Friday.
Update 10:42 a.m.: Temecula Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Melanie Norton said by phone this morning that district officials are still piecing together the details of the accident that claimed Graesser’s life.
“We are all just stunned. Speechless. It’s one of those unthinkable tragedies. It’s such difficult news to hear,” Norton said, adding how loved Graesser was by staff and students.
Norton said that grief counselors will be in place for students and staff at the campus on Monday morning.
She added that as more information is learned, it will be made available to the public.
Original: A letter from Temecula’s Vail Ranch Middle School principal Kevin Groepper this morning informed students and staff of the passing of Shelly Graesser.
Graesser died of injuries received in an accident late Friday, the letter said.
Graesser was an assistant principal at Vail Ranch Middle School for eight years and leaves behind husband Mike and two children — Daisy and Gage.
Groepper’s letter read in part, “We will have professional grief counselors as well as other district personnel at school this next week to assist students having difficulty coping with this tragic accident. I encourage you to speak with your child about this, listen to them and if you have any concerns about how they are handling this please contact us at school.”
Temecula Mayor Chuck Washington said in reaction to the news: “I didn’t know her, but I am very saddened by the news of losing such a loved administrator. I know the kids and their families are going to be greatly impacted.”
This is a developing story. Check back in with SWRNN for more information as it comes available.
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RIP to the best Vice Principle ever.<3
She was truly an amazing woman she didnt deserve to go so soon, she taught me right from wrong she was there when no one else was, she talked to me made me laugh smile cry but she was always someonei knew i could trust, im so so very sorry for her gorgeous babys and husband, she was truly such an amazing person, i cant process the fact that shes gone how can she possibly be GONE, she was a great person who didnt deserve to go like this <3 rip i love you and will miss you sooooo much </3
RIP…..U WILL BE MISSED
She was a very loving, caring, concerned administrator who cared very much for everything that was going on in the school. She will be missed tremendously! She was very easy to talked to, and took care of whatever problem right away. My heart goes out to her family.
We love you and miss you Mrs Graesser.
I heard about this from my mom, but we all thought it was a person we didn’t know. To learn that it was Mrs. Graesser involved, it’s a great tragedy. You will be missed.
R.I.P Mrs. Graesser
♥ Beloved Vice Principal of the Vail Ranch Middle School Bulldogs. ♥
Dear Mrs.Graesser,
You were a mom to me. I loved hanging out with you, even though i thought your tractor obsession was a little weird, i loved how easily you could joke, like during the advanced drama play, you were an amazing vice principal and even more amazing person, And i just want to say thank you for everything you have done fro me and my family. You will be missed by everyone especially me.Your the only one that would go out of there way for me, like when my dad was in the hospital you let me live with you, you bought me shoes when mine weren’t wearable, you drove me to la- hoya to see my dad, you gave me advice on everything, you let me eat the candy in your secret stash. So i just want to say that you will be forever in my memory and to say Thank You for everything.
with love, katie <3
Dear Mrs. Grasser,
we the students and staff at vail ranch middle will miss you greatly you were the best vice principal and second mother anyone could ever ask for you will never be forgotten we love you and are hearts go out to you beloved family
Mrs. Graesser was the best vice principal ever, funny, sweet, and kind. We’re all going to miss her…
I miss you mrs.graesser!! I will always remember me you, and my friends together! Thank you! You have always Brightened my day when I see you!! I just want you to know that I love you, and I miss you! Thank you for always being there for me! Hailey Braynard I love you!!!
She will be missed my many. She helped me get through some of the hardest times and she is the reason I’m not failing my classes. She made me a better person. I will never forget her, she changed so many lifes and everyone is just devistated by this tragedy. My prayers and thoughts go out to that wonderful family. May you rest in peace. -with love Taylor Hill
R.I.P. I loved her so much, she was beautiful and so kind. She will be truly missed, I just wish I could see her one more time.
Xoxo, Aleah.
We Love you Mrs. Graesser
We lost a special person but heaven gained an angel! All I can say is thank you for touching my sons heart you’ll be truly missed.
Shelly, you were more than a boss to me. You were my friend and my sister in the Lord. I cherish the times that we spent encouraging one another in the Lord. I especially appreciate your sipport when my son passed away. Your heart to help others was a great witness of your love for Christ. You will be greatly missed here on Earth but so very welcomed in your new home in Heaven. Your husband and children will be in my prayers. I look forward to the day when I shall see you again in Heaven.
There will be a candlelight vigil tonight Sunday at 8PM at the school. Please come join us as we celebrate her life and grieve for her loss.
R.I.P Mrs.Greasser you were loved greatly you did so much for me, looking back in middle school I don’t remember one day I wasn’t in your office getting into trouble for something stupid, but you never gave up on me, you were my friend when i needed one you always tried being there for me it seems that the further i pushed away the closer you came too me, you taught me life lessons no one else could you made me into the person I am today wether you realized it or not you were like another mom to me, if it wasn’t for you I don’t know where I would be right now what I would be doing or who I would be doing it with, but I’m glad you came into my life because you changed it for the better, My condolences go to you and your family, your legacy is truly great not a day will go by that I wont think about how greatly you have helped me mature, grow, develop, any way you want to put it… I can’t thank you enough
Mrs. Graesser was so nice to me when I was having a really bad day. She took me into her office and was very understanding and just a sweet person. I always saw her around campus with a smiling, kind face. It is people like this that make the world a better place. I am incrediby sad for her family and I can only hope for the best for them. She will surely be missed. <3 <3
Mrs. Graesser was a wonderful woman who really helped the kids at VRMS. She always had a smile on her face. She was someone that the kids could talk to and she helped them in so many ways. My heart is breakig for your family and children. You will be missed greatly.
The words of the children who have posted on this page are beautiful. I did not even know shelly, but your tributes to her have tears streaming down my face. Keep her memory alive by continuing to be like you described her.
Thinking of you having “tea” in Heaven, Shelly…with blueberries, of course! It’s impossible to think that you are gone from us so soon, knowing you leave behind your husband and those two beautiful children that you wanted so very much, and loved and cherished beyond words. You will be missed, but your passion for life and love continues on forever. Knowing you are in the arms of Jesus now…total peace, complete love.
to my other mom you ment the would to me you tought me how to live life,you showed me the way,Just friday after school you held my baby brother braiden and was smiling ear to ear,I truly tought everthing of you I respected you more than I did anyone else,and life its self…..Im truly sorry for your husband mike and two babys daisy(4yrs.)and gage(3yrs.) you have made me the man you thought I always was and I will never leave that tought behin,you had such an impact on me,my life,and my family. your always in the biggest spot of my heart,I look up at the moon every night nowing your doing the same thing,I pray for your family everyday…You always had an answer for everything,Your children are so beatiful and daisy looks just like you I remember the first time I met them you were braiding daisys hair in your office here at vail ranch middle school you were more than a princible here at vail ranch You were a role model who looked at everyone the same …no matter what! MS.GREASSER princible,role model,mommy,spy,and proud women!……FOREVER IN MY HEART MY OTHER MOM SHELLY GREASSER#1
Dear Shelley,
I had the privilege of meeting you while we both taught at Buchanan Elementary. Even then, I felt so close to you. You were a good friend. You were so open and loving. I enjoyed spending time with you in your home. I loved the day we spent together in Los Angeles shopping at the Garment District and the flower mart. You always were so upbeat and happy. I will truly miss you and I look forward to seeing you again someday. May your family have peace and comfort knowing you are with the angels in heaven.
Love,
Mary
I love you soo much mrs. graesser. you helped me through so much and i still cant believe that your gone. you were such an amazing person and you will never ever be forgotten no matter what. Rest In Peace Mrs. Graesser. And best wishes to the Graesser Family. Shelly will be missed <3