Apr 12, 2006 By Jenny Susa 3 min read

A senior at Brownsville Area High School passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, and school board members and administration said her untimely death has left her family and friends struggling with the loss. Jeana Lynn Rouse, 18, of Grindstone, died at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh from causes that have not yet been publicly released.

It seems that Rouse was loved by all who knew her, and her death came as a great shock to everyone.

“Counselors were sent to the high school after it happened,” said school board President Rocky Brashear, commenting that on the day Rouse passed away, the high school was nearly “shut down” because so many students were close to Rouse.

“She was very popular and a model student,” said Brashear. “She played softball with my daughter. This has been a shock to everyone in the district, and we really feel for the family.”

Director Nena Kaminsky also said her sympathies went out to the family, and she called Rouse’s death a “terrible tragedy.”

Director Stella Broadwater said that Rouse was a “wonderful student and athlete,” and she was “loved by all.”

“She was a very kind person and was always very giving and loving to other people,” said Broadwater. “She has left a mark on people because everyone is taking it so hard.”

Broadwater commented on the shock of losing someone who was so active and seemed to be the “picture of health.”

She said that she knows from personal experience that losing a child leaves a void that can never be filled.

“I know where the family’s hearts are right now,” said Broadwater. “Only God can help.”

High school principal Rick Gates also talked about how greatly Rouse would be missed.

“She was a very bright girl and an excellent athlete,” said Gates. “The students are just devastated. This is a very tragic thing that happened.”

Rouse was the daughter of William and Cheryl Rouse and a member of the Historic Church of St. Peter in Brownsville.

She was a member of several clubs and participated in many school activities. Rouse was a starting pitcher for the Lady Falcon softball team and was an employee at McDonald’s in Grindstone.

Friends will be received at the Skirpan Funeral Home on Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in the Historic Church of St. Peter.