Diana Unkel, the accompanist for all the choir classes, taught alongside Tyler Morris since he started teaching at Derby Middle School.

Morris told students frequently that when he was offered the job at Derby High, he asked for Mrs. Unkel to be his accompanist.

Mrs. Unkel was also special to her students.

On Tuesday, Mrs. Unkel died unexpectedly.

“She watched me grow and helped me in my choral pursuit. She also knew my family a while back, she taught my dad in kindergarten,” senior Cameron Pray said.

Mrs. Unkel was a friend to all who knew her, and she loved her job as much as she loved the students.

Mrs. Unkel even would brag about how great her students were.

She came to work even when she was sick or injured and was just happy to play piano and help people learn.