LETTER: Early childhood community loses advocate and champion, Mariah McGill
October 30, 2020 | By Kelley Hackett
Donate to the Mariah McGill Memorial Fund here. Screenshot.
To the community:
It is with great sadness that I share the loss of a wonderful community member, mother, partner, and child advocate this past Monday, Oct. 26. Mariah McGill was struck by a car while walking in a crosswalk on Route 100 in Waitsfield and she was unable to overcome her injuries. Please help by sending love and support to her husband, daughter, and family during this difficult time.
Mariah was known in the world of early education for her kindred spirit, her quiet ability to lead, and her love for young children. I first met her while attending the Early Childhood Leadership Institute at the Snelling Center for Government last year. She directed the program. Mariah led a cohort of individuals interested in early childhood leadership through an intensive and engaging learning experience using a thoughtful and reflective approach.
In September, Mariah accepted a position at Building Bright Futures as the regional coordinator supporting the Lamoille and Central Vermont Regional Councils to identify gaps and strategies to improve early childhood education and related services for young children and their families.
As the Provider Group Leader for Waterbury and the Vermont Early Childhood Network Grant Coordinator for Washington County, I was excited to learn of her new position which would enable me to work closely with Mariah again. Her knowledge, calmness, and passion for children would be effective when engaging in occasionally difficult conversations in our county, and I knew her voice would contribute to positive change. Now the early childhood field has lost a remarkable leader and voice for young children.
In addition to being a steadfast early childhood advocate and leader, Mariah loved her family dearly. Her beautiful daughter meant the world to her and every decision she made had her daughter’s best interest at heart. She was an amazing mother and partner who loved her family, community, and the world around her. Mariah’s words and actions were made with thoughtfulness, grace and kindness.
Take a moment to pause and drink in the love around yourselves, find calmness in this world of chaos, and peace in your hearts for all humans. These are the words I hear when I think of Mariah.
Please join our community in honoring Mariah McGill for her kind spirit and love for all children. Mariah will be missed by all who knew her. An online fundraiser page has been created for Mariah’s family if anyone would like to make a donation.
Kelley Hackett
Waterbury Center
Kelley Hackett is an early childhood educator, parent, and member of the Harwood Union School Board.