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Beloved Greenfield Educator Dies Days After Car Crash; Parents Seriously Wounded

Donna Woodcock, a former Greenfield teacher, principal, and coach, died this week after being critically wounded in a car crash on Friday, May 5. Her parents, who were in the car with her, are still recovering from their injuries at Baystate Medical Center. 

Former Greenfield educator and coach Donna Woodcock died this week following a car crash in Shelburne on Friday, May 5, which was her 65th birthday. Her parents were also seriously injured in the crash, authorities said.

Former Greenfield educator and coach Donna Woodcock died this week following a car crash in Shelburne on Friday, May 5, which was her 65th birthday. Her parents were also seriously injured in the crash, authorities said.

Photo Credit: Donna Woodcock

Woodcock crashed on Mohawk Trail in Shelburne near Dragon Hill Road around 6 p.m. Paramedics rushed her and her parents (Courtney Woodcock, 92, and Barbara Woodcock, 87) to Baystate Medical Center, where she later died, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said on Thursday. She turned 65 on the day of the crash. 

Woodcock was a beloved former Greenfield High School teacher, principal, and coach who had worked in the school system from 1982 until she retired in 2016, her obituary said. She led the school's girls' field hockey team to state titles in 1989 and 1999 and the softball team to five Western Massachusetts championships. 

Former players remembered her as a stern but fair coach with a dogged commitment to excellence. 

In a Facebook post, Kaitlyn Byron Shu, a 2009 Greenfield graduate, wrote that Woodcock loudly cheered on her players and pushed them to do great things. 

As I sit here in shock, disbelief & sadness I hope you know the impact you had on hundreds probably even thousands of students and student athletes. You made us so proud to wear green and white and say we played Green Wave Field Hockey. I not only worked hard for me, but I wanted to work hard every single day for you. ... While I sit here completely devastated I hope you know just what you meant to so many of us. I could go on and on about the human you were and the legacy you leave behind, but I will simply state you will be so missed and coach, from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU.

Woodcock was heavily involved in the community through her church — First United Methodist Church of Greenfield — and various other groups. 

The Greenfield Fire Department posted thanked her for her commitment to the community. 

Whether you knew her as Donna, Ms. Woodcock, or Coach, she was always there cheering on Greenfield. Her dedication to community and devotion to her students was exemplary. She will be sorely missed, our thoughts are with her family during this time of healing. Thank you, Donna, for your dedication to our community.

Her family has not released any information on her funeral arraignments. 

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