STRATFORD, Conn. — Goodbye, Miss Soto.
The heroic teacher who died shielding her terrified first-grade students from Adam Lanza’s murderous rage was paid a tearful tribute yesterday at a packed wake in her hometown.
Soto, 27, herded her confused kids into a closet as Lanza’s spree began in another classroom and gunfire exploded.
But a group of six pupils ended up trying to bolt from the room and were gunned down as Soto tried to shield them.
She was killed along with a teacher’s aide, while several students from her class survived the rampage.
“She was always about everyone else before herself,” said a longtime friend, Donna Ramos, 30.
“She’s a hero. She always wanted to be a teacher. She was always the one to go the extra mile, especially for kids.”
Soto has been hailed globally as a hero and the line of hundreds outside of the Adzima Funeral Home reflected the outpouring of sorrow and admiration.
Soto’s devastated mother lingered near her half-open casket and sobbed and heaved violently as mourners offered whatever consolation they could muster.
The Puerto Rican native’s favorite songs rang out in the hall, including Loius Armstrong’s suddenly mournful “What a Wonderful World” and lighter pop songs from the ’90 s from Madonna and Whitney Houston.
Soto’s casket was surrounded by tributes from her young students from years past. Written at the same time last year, one Christmas card from a former class expressed their appreciation for her teaching and devotion.
Many of those who had been touched by Soto exchanged stories of her natural selflessness and love of her students.
Those who knew Soto were stunned by her violent death, but were not caught off guard by her selfless heroism.
“It was not surprising to see the news about it,” Ramos said. “It’s her nature. She made us all proud.”