A Gwinnett County assistant principal, wife, and mother of two boys died Monday after falling down stairs and hitting her head.

Jennifer Niday, 36, of Lawrenceville, was visiting friends in Athens over the weekend when she fell, causing the fatal brain injury, her family said.

“I couldn’t believe it when it happened,” Cindy Doppel, Niday’s mother, said Monday night. “They’re not talking about my Jennifer.”

Late Monday, the family found some comfort from knowing that Niday’s organs were being donated to others in need, Doppel said.

Niday was an assistant principal at McKendree Elementary School in Lawrenceville, where she had worked since 2008. She worked for the Gwinnett school system for 13 years.

McKendree Principal Loretta Denmark notified parents of the Niday’s death in a letter, obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Mrs. Niday has touched many of our lives here at McKendree Elementary,” the letter states. “Her smile, energy and love for our students and school will always be remembered and she will be greatly missed.”

Grief counselors will be at the school to assist students and teachers, Denmark said.

Niday is survived by her husband and two sons, ages 7 and 10. Her funeral will be held Saturday, Doppel said.

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