Volunteer and former teacher dies while at Washington Elementary

ROCHESTER — Mary Ellen Trueman, a volunteer at Washington Elementary, died Thursday while at the school, the district reported.

According to a statement from Rochester Public Schools, Trueman was a former teacher who kept her passion for working with students after retiring.

"She was always ready with a joke of the day for the staff each day she volunteered," The statement from RPS said. "She had a true passion for teaching and for students."

Washington Elementary is located just north of Seventh Street Northwest, just east of John Marshall High School.

The statement from Rochester Public Schools is below:

"This afternoon, emergency services responded to Washington Elementary for a medical emergency involving a volunteer. We are saddened to share that long-time friend of Washington Elementary, Mary Ellen Trueman died shortly after arriving at the main office at Washington. Mary Ellen used to be an elementary school teacher. After retiring, she volunteered with primary grade students at Washington. She was always ready with a joke of the day for the staff each day she volunteered. She had a true passion for teaching and for students. We share our deepest condolences to Mary Ellen’s friends and family."