Linda Kim Miller left a six-month-old son, an adoring husband, a third-grade class and a Newhall School District staff full of friends when she died at age 35 of arteriosclerosis heart disease.

Miller was about six weeks into the new school year at Pico Canyon Elementary School Sept. 27 when her sudden death rocked her family and the school, Pico Canyon Principal Laura Banda said.

Because Miller passed away on a Friday night, Pico Canyon staff had the chance to call student parents individually to inform them of the tragedy before they returned to school on Monday, she said.

Additional counselors were called in to speak to children one-on-one about their grief, and a schoolwide memorial service was held to honor Miller's memory.

Banda said a trust fund was arranged for Miller's infant son Brady that will be kept open for his needs throughout his life.

In mid-November, family friends and fellow staff worked alongside with Domino's Pizza to host a fundraiser to benefit Miller's young son. Banda said a few hundred dollars were raised in the November effort and that the in-school staff is gathering Christmas donations for the child.

Miller graduated from Washington State University in 1995 and received a master's degree in 1999. She began teaching at the Newhall School District in 1999 and worked at Stevenson Ranch and Pico Canyon elementary schools.

Additional community-involved fundraisers will be held in the future, Banda said. Anyone who would like to make a donation to the Brady Miller trust fund can contact Banda at (661) 291-4080.