The Gilbert and Chandler education communities are mourning the sudden passing of Jessica Luongo (née Lopez), a longtime educator at Payne Junior High School whose death on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, has left students, colleagues, and friends in deep grief.
Jessica, 41, was widely recognized for her nearly two decades of service within the Chandler Unified School District, where she spent 17 years teaching at Payne Junior High School. Known for her creativity and compassionate approach to education, she made a lasting impact on countless students through her work in art and ceramics.
Colleagues describe Jessica as a vibrant and deeply empathetic teacher whose classroom environment encouraged self-expression, confidence, and kindness. Her teaching style combined artistic instruction with emotional support, helping students navigate both academic and personal challenges during their formative years.
Before her career in Arizona, Jessica studied at SUNY Cortland, where she developed her passion for the arts and built lifelong friendships that remained an important part of her life. Friends from her early years recall her humor, warmth, and ability to bring people together, traits that later defined her teaching career.
Tributes from former classmates and colleagues have highlighted her emotional intelligence and strong sense of loyalty, describing her as someone who consistently supported others through difficult times. Her influence extended far beyond the classroom, shaping the lives of both students and fellow educators.
Within the Payne Junior High community, Jessica was known not only as a teacher but also as a mentor and trusted presence for students. Many have shared memories of her encouraging words, creative projects, and the safe space she created for young people to express themselves.
Her sudden passing has prompted an outpouring of grief across Arizona’s education community, particularly in Gilbert and nearby Chandler, where she spent much of her professional life. Students and staff alike have begun sharing tributes reflecting on her dedication, kindness, and lasting influence.
As the community comes to terms with her loss, plans for memorial services are expected to be announced by her family at a later date. In the meantime, colleagues and former students continue to honor her legacy through shared memories and messages of appreciation.
Jessica Luongo will be remembered for her creativity, compassion, and the profound impact she had on generations of students whose lives she helped shape.