Elizabete Lino was known as Miss Liz at the Half-Pint Early Learning and Childcare Center in Washington.
There's an empty feeling when Jodi Epstein's staff arrives at work.
There's no Miss Liz.
Elizabete Lino, of Oxford Township, was on her way home April 26, 2016, when she was killed in a car crash on Route 31. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)"It will never return to a sense of normalcy. Ever. There is an emptiness," said Epstein, the director at Half-Pint Early Learning and Childcare Center on Route 57 in Washington.
Everyone on the staff is known by their first name. Miss Liz -- 46-year-old Elizabete Lino -- was no different. She worked with the infants and young preschool students, Epstein said.
On April 26, Epstein said Lino gave her customary wave goodbye as she left work. Minutes later, on her way home to Oxford Township, Lino was killed in a head-on crash on Route 31.
Mansfield Township police said it appeared she drifted into oncoming traffic. Another driver was flown to St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Lino was pronounced dead at the scene. Her funeral was held Saturday.
Crashes claim 2 Warren County lives in 1 day
The news was devastating for the Half Pint staff. Lino had worked there for two years, joining her daughter who has been there five, Epstein said.
The school was closed the day after the crash as the staff gathered to reminisce, crying and laughing at shared memories. They still do, Epstein said.
"She was an absolute delight," Epstein said. "She loved the children. The children loved her. She made everyone laugh."
Miss Liz, she said, "touched everyone's lives."
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.