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Loved ones remember legacy of slain Lynn school teacher

The legacy of a murdered Lynn school teacher is inspiring others almost one year after the awful tragedy that claimed her life.

Family and friends of Vanessa Masucci MacCormack tell Boston 25 News her vibrant spirit lives with them each and every day.

Those still reeling from the loss are hoping to channel MacCormack’s courage later this year when her husband Andrew heads to trial for the horrific September 2017 killing.

>>PREVIOUS: Husband charged with murder in death of Lynn teacher

Until then, loved ones remain focused on the positive that Vanessa continues to bring into their lives and the community.

"You would never think that it would happen to someone like her," said sister Angela Masucci in an exclusive interview with Boston 25 News Reporter Drew Karedes. “She wasn’t a weak person. She was a strong person and a happy person. We want her to be remembered for that.”

Just one year apart in age, the Masucci sisters had an unbreakable bond from the start.

"I saw my sister every single day," Masucci said. "We went to the gym together. We'd go grocery shopping together. We were both Lynn Public School teachers. We’d call each other’s extensions just to catch up."

The entire Masucci family is still adjusting to the heartbreaking reality of life without MacCormack. 
Almost one year after her murder, a new light is guiding the Masuccis in their journey moving forward.

“I found out two weeks after she passed that I was having a baby," explained Angela Masucci. "I was told I couldn’t have one, and as soon as I lost my sister, I get a miracle baby. [But] she'll never get to hold her, she'll never get to meet her."

Masucci believes the bond she and her sister shared has been recreated between her four-week-old baby girl Antonella and MacCormack’s daughter, who she now has custody of.

"They're going to be sisters, just like how me and my sister were," Masucci said. "They have the same exact age difference and everything."

Although MacCormack isn't there to see the new symbolism of sisterhood, the family feels her presence through her beautiful daughter Adrianna.

The Masuccis speak often about Vanessa to Adrianna and remind her regularly about how much her mother loved her.

"She’s so full of life," Masucci said. "She loves to sing, dance, and that would just be the thing if she was looking down, so proud."

MacCormack is also spoken of often through the city of Lynn, where she is remembered for touching so many lives.

The community is planning to honor her through a softball tournament next month. It’s scheduled for the weekend of July 20-22 outside Breed Middle School, a baseball/softball complex that MacCormack competed at during her years as an avid athlete.

“Vanessa loved sports and some of my favorite memories are of her playing softball,” said friend and fellow St. Mary’s High graduate Sara McCabe. “She took school and sports and work seriously, but she didn’t take herself so seriously that she couldn’t be fun and silly.”

Friends helping to organize July’s event believe it will be a cathartic celebration of some of the things MacCormack cared about most.

“She was loved by all. Even if you didn’t know her, you feel in love with her,” said friend Colleen Bransfield, who taught second grade at Connery Elementary with Vanessa. “As a teacher, she was amazing. She knew her kids inside and out.”

MacCormack's daughter Adrianna is currently practicing to throw the first pitch at the event. 
It's a special moment that those who cherished Vanessa are looking forward to as they honor her remarkable life.

"Not a day goes by as a second grade team we don't think about her, talk about her, laugh. The school as a whole, she will always be remembered there," added Bransfield.

There are also pending plans to announce a scholarship in MacCormack’s name as a way to continue giving back to the Lynn community.