When Adam Lanza began his horrific attack on the Sandy Hook Elementary School campus on Dec. 14, many teachers sprung into action, with a singular mission to protect the young ones in their care. One such teacher was Anne Marie Murphy, a special education teacher who died while trying to shield her students from bullets. On Dec. 20, Anne Marie was laid to rest in Kotonah, NY.

Anne Marie, a 52-year-old mother of four, was mourned at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Kotonah. Cardinal Timothy Dolan compared the teacher to Jesus, praising her for her bravery and compassion. “Like Jesus, Annie laid down her life for her friends,” the Cardinal said. Anne Marie was found still cradling six-year-old Dylan Hockley, whom she had tried to protect. The young boy with special needs also died that horrific day.

The Cardinal continues, “Like Jesus, Annie’s life and death brings light, truth, goodness and love to a world often shrouded in darkness, evil, selfishness and death.” He said he had never met her, but “because I know Jesus, I feel as if I know Anne Marie McGowan Murphy quite well. Like Jesus, Annie was an excellent teacher. Like Him, she had a favored place in her big, tender heart for children, especially those with struggles.”

Dylan’s parents had previously paid tribute to their son’s teacher, saying, “We take great comfort in knowing that Dylan was not alone when he died, but was wrapped in the arms of his amazing aide, Anne Marie Murphy. Dylan loved Mrs. Murphy so much and pointed at her picture on our refrigerator every day.”

Our thoughts remain with all the victims lost, including Anne Marie and Dylan, their families, and the entire community of Newtown, CT.

– Billy Nilles

More Sandy Hook Funerals News:

1. Paul Simon Performs At Funeral For Sandy Hook Teacher 

2. Sandy Hook Massacre: Two More Children Buried
3. Sandy Hook Victim Noah Pozner, 6, Remembered In Emotional Eulogy