Students and educators returned to their regular schedules Friday, but with a fixture of their district missing.

Southern Cayuga Central School District called off school for Emily Howland and pushed back the start of the school day for the middle and high school Thursday after officials learned about longtime employee Cindy Sharshon's death on Wednesday.

Sharshon, 49, died from complications related to liver cancer, according to a letter Superintendent Mary K. Worth posted on the district's Web site.

District officials set back school for the one day while they arranged for additional support for staff members, as well as students. Educators from other areas assisted the district in

providing counseling throughout the day.

Sharshon worked as an aide, primarily as an audio visual technician. Her main office was in the joint middle school and high school building in Popular Ridge.

An employee for 28 years, Worth said she made an impact on students and district workers.

“There's going to be a hole in our hearts. She was part of the fabric of this school and the community. It's just too much, too fast,” Worth said.

Sharshon aided teachers and advised the National Honors Society. She also worked with the drama department, especially with the lighting and sound systems. She also wrote a column regularly for The Citizen.

Worth said students and employees are grieving, but should celebrate Sharshon's life. Such an event is being planned by the family.

“Cindy loved life, she's very positive, very caring. She thought of others first before she thought of herself,” Worth said.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net