The emotional impact is also felt far and wide as the community says goodbye to the couple killed in the explosion. Dion and Jennifer Longworth will be laid to rest Monday on the south side.
Many waited nearly two hours to pay their respects at the couple’s visitation Sunday. The funeral home said it was the largest crowd they've ever seen. Cars were parked all around Wilson St. Pierre Funeral. People were lined up out the door for nearly two hours.
"The line is amazing," said Jennifer Schick, who was there to support a friend who worked with Jennifer. "There's just so many photographs of both Dion and Jennifer in there. It's just great to see that outpouring of love for the family."
The two were the sole victims killed in last weekend's house explosion on the south side. Dion was an audio tech expert with an eye for classic GTO cars. His wife, Jennifer, was a teacher at Southwest Elementary for the past 12 years.
"She was one of the best teachers we've had at Southwest," said Heidi Lovins, a parent. "Talking to her family was hard -- very hard, but they were pretty upbeat. They were nice. It had to be overwhelming having everyone coming in, seeing so many people coming in that you didn't know."
Lovins' son, Tanner, was a student in Jennifer's class two years ago. She remembers the 36-year-old teacher helping Tanner overcome his anxiety and encouraging him to go to school every day.
"She toughened him up a little bit," said Lovins. "He'd cry every morning not wanting to go to school and thank God for her, she pulled him through it."
It is hard to understand for any fourth grader, but Tanner is holding tight to the winter hat Jennifer gave him for Christmas. It’s one of many she's knitted for all her students.
Others are holding on to memories.
"Just the stories I've heard about her -- she was meticulous about her job and just really loved her children," said Schick. "[She was] very dedicated. I know she was there on the weekends working and spending a lot of time preparing for next week's classes."
Two lives lost so suddenly and a neighborhood is left asking why.
"We kept explaining it to him, 'Keep her in your heart and and take her with you,'"said Lovins. "And she'll be there forever."
The funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Greenwood. The family has asked all donations to be sent to the educational funds that have been created under the couple's name.
