GV teacher was wearing her seat belt

Continental School teacher Catherine Sivilli, 52, who died in a car rollover accident Friday night when she lost control of her vehicle in Tucson, was wearing a seat belt, contrary to earlier reports,

Northwest Fire and Rescue District Battalion Chief Bob Dipietro said his crew, first responders on the scene, had to cut Sivilli from her seat belt in two different places.

“Normally, we don’t comment on these things, but we want the children to know that their teacher was doing the right thing,” Dipietro said. “She was following the rules.”

Sivilli taught sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade science at Continental and was also very active in after-school programs.

According to Dawn Hanke, Pima County Sheriff’s spokesperson, Sivilli’s car left the roadway, she overcorrected and her car rolled.

There will be a service at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at Bring’s Memorial Chapel, 236 S. Scott in Tucson with Wayne North officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Continental School District No. 39, P.O. Box 547, Green Valley, AZ., 85622. Please specify donations are intended for her eighth-grade Washington, D.C., trip.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740