Manchester, New Hampshire, is mourning the loss of longtime educator Abigail “Abby” Gemme, a cherished teacher and mentor at Central High School.
The news was shared in a February 22, 2026, letter from Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel, Ed.D., to students, families, and staff across the Manchester School District.
In the message, district leaders expressed deep sadness over her passing and acknowledged the profound impact she had on the school community. No details about her untimely death have been disclosed yet, and funeral services remain pending.
Ms. Gemme worked in the district since 2002 and dedicated her career to Central High School, where she served as a High School English teacher.
Over the years, she became one of the school’s most involved and admired faculty members. She was Senior Class Advisor, Track Coach, Unified Basketball Coach, Yearbook Advisor, and a devoted member of the Central Pride Foundation.
She attended nearly every school event, consistently showing up to support her students in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
The district described her as someone who worked tirelessly to ensure every student felt supported and valued. Colleagues remembered her as a trusted teammate who always offered encouragement and lent a helping hand.
Central High School Alumni honored her as a proud graduate who returned to “the Little Green” to give back as a teacher, advisor, and coach.
In a public tribute, the alumni community wrote that she “truly bled green” and leaves behind a lasting legacy among students and colleagues.
Former students also shared heartfelt posts remembering her influence.
One alumna wrote that Abigail Gemme was one of her favorite teachers and that she brought out the best in all of her students.
She described Ms. Gemme as incredibly supportive and said she felt honored to have had her as a new English teacher at Central.
The former student added that Ms. Gemme remembered all of her students and continued to celebrate both their big milestones and small accomplishments even after graduation. She shared personal memories of seeing her around Manchester, walking her beloved dogs and shouting, “Hey Ms. Gemme!” whenever they crossed paths.
In a touching note, she joked that her former English teacher would probably be secretly correcting any spelling errors in her tribute.
According to her professional profile, Ms. Gemme served as a High School English Teacher with the Manchester School District beginning in September 2004 and remained in that role for more than 21 years.
Her educational background reflects her commitment to her field. She earned a Master of Science (MS) in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from the University of New Hampshire between 2003 and 2008.
Prior to that, she completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History at Drew University from 1992 to 1996.
In response to her passing, the district announced counseling support for students, families, and staff.
Open support hours will be held at Central High School on Tuesday, February 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and again from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., staffed by counselors from the Manchester School District and the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester.
Additional counseling support will also be available on Monday, March 2, for anyone who needs assistance as the community processes this loss.
The Manchester school community continues to grieve the loss of a teacher who dedicated her life to education, mentorship, and Central pride. Her impact lives on in the countless students she taught, coached, and encouraged throughout her career.
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