HOCKINSON, Wash. - A popular teacher at a Vancouver high school died after an apparent horseback riding accident on Wednesday, investigators said.
Her students were heartbroken after learning what happened Thursday at school, where counselors helped them deal with the loss.
"I loved her like she was my mom, " said Amreal Presler, one of Morrison's students. "Everyone who walked in her room, she cared for. You don't find a lot of teachers who do that."
Patricia Lilly first hired Morrison four years ago, after Morrison's long career working for the West Linn School District.
"She has a way to connect with students that can't be taught," said Lilly.
The Clark County Sheriff's office said the body of Candace "Candy" Morrison, 57, of Battle Ground, was found on a gravel road after her horse returned to its stable without her. Another rider went looking for her and around 6:45 p.m., she found Morrison's body on NE Rawson Rd. and called 9-1-1, according to Sgt. Kevin Allais.
Investigators said Morrison had suffered severe head trauma and was not wearing a riding helmet. She could not be revived.
Morrison was a popular music teacher at Hudson's Bay High School in Vancouver. Students told KGW Thursday that Morrison played the piano and had a beautiful voice. They said she left behind a husband, son and grandchild.
According to her students, Candy Morrison loved horses and lived on a ranch in Battle Ground. They said about a month ago, she was bucked off one of the horses and had come to school with a black eye. But that incident didn't stop her from riding again and caring for horses.
"They (my fellow students) are going to be like us, crying all the time. I won't be able to walk into the classroom," said Sheryl Waltrip, a junior and music student. Besides teaching music, Morrison loved to go horseback riding. It adds some solace to her friends that she spent her last moments on her horse, by herself, where she loved to be.
"Her unfortunate death happened doing what she loved. She loved life, ' said Lilly. Mrs. Morrison had a spring concert scheduled for Monday. The show will go on, as her students will sing in tribute of their favorite music teacher.
"They (my fellow students) are going to be like us, crying all the time. I won't be able to walk into the classroom," said Sheryl Waltrip, junior and music student.
Before taking the job at Hudson's Bay, Morrison worked for 28 years in the West Linn school district.
She was the second Hudson's Bay teacher to pass away in the past six months. Gordon Patterson was killed in a hit-and-run traffic collision while riding his bicycle in Vancouver in September 2009. Antonio Cellestine, 18, was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in that crash.
More: Details on Gordon Patterson case
(KGW Reporters Teresa Yuan and Anne Yeager contributed to this report)
