Trinity Lutheran Students Spearhead 'Purple Day' to Honor Teacher's Passing

To honor the passing of a beloved teacher, students took it upon themselves to wear purple in honor of Rose Remer’s favorite color.

Remer, who passed away Jan. 27 after 41 years at the school, never wore an outfit that didn’t have purple in it, according to Trinity Lutheran staff.

Three seventh-grade students, who heard of their beloved teacher’s passing over the weekend while at a sleepover, decided to name Monday “Purple Day.”

“We couldn't sleep and came up with the idea and started to call and text our friends and then it just spread," seventh-grader Kara Francis said.

"We were so happy when the school decided to make it an official dress day and contacted everyone," added Erika Lyijynen. 

Remer, 63, was a teacher at Trinity Lutheran since 1971 and assistant principal since 1987. Trinity principal Tom Wrege said Remer was best known for her powerful connection to her students, many of whom would come back to visit her after they graduated.  

“Rose was a grace-filled teacher that I can never replace. The legacy she has left is one of relationships and joy, where every child and staff member cherished her. She richly blessed our lives at Trinity,” he said.

Purple Day organizer and seventh-grader Olivia Filkoski agreed.

"What I'll miss most about her was her personality," Filkoski said. "She was such a nice lady; everyone just loved her class and looked forward to it. We just wanted to help everyone remember her."

It was apparent Monday how many lives Remer touched when hundreds of students, teachers and even parents turned out to school dressed for “Purple Day.”

Trinity parents said they were impressed with the students, who spearheaded the movement, even giving out purple bracelets as part of Remer’s memorial.

Funeral services for Rose Remer will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica today, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m.  For more information please contact Trinity Lutheran Church and School at 586-731-4490 or www.trinityutica.com.