WATERTOWN, Wis. (WISN) – The community of Watertown is grappling with profound sorrow following the sudden death of a cherished college student.
Tragically, 19-year-old Hannah Glass, who lived with a severe nut allergy, passed away after unknowingly consuming a brownie that contained peanut flour.
In a remarkable act of compassion, her grieving parents have chosen to donate their daughter’s organs, aiming to provide hope and a second chance at life for others in need.
On Wednesday, Calvary Baptist Church was filled to capacity as community members gathered to pay their final respects to Hannah Glass.
Attendees united to honor the memory of Hannah, a vibrant young woman whose life was cut short.
Hannah’s parents, Janeane and David Glass, stood amidst the crowd, their hearts heavy with the weight of losing their beloved oldest child.
“She had a heart to serve the Lord,” a heartbroken Janeane Glass expressed while reflecting on her daughter’s charitable spirit and warmth.
Hannah, who had been home-schooled throughout her early education, realized her dream of attending Maranatha Baptist University this past fall.
Her promising journey as a college student took a tragic turn last week.
“The second bite, she knew something was wrong,” recalled her father, David Glass, as he recounted the harrowing incident.
A friend’s seemingly innocent gift—a brownie from a women’s group on campus—would have devastating consequences.
“We believe, because this product contained roasted peanut flour separate from oily peanut butter, that masked this,” David added, emphasizing the tragic misunderstanding regarding the dessert.
Hannah, who had a severe nut allergy, was unaware that the treat contained peanut flour, a dangerous ingredient for her.
“She had thrown up. She had the hives, but some Benadryl had made things better,” David detailed, recounting the frightening moments that followed her reaction. “After a few seconds of laying down, things changed dramatically. In hindsight, it’s at that point the right lung collapsed.”
Emergency responders faced tremendous challenges while attempting to revive her, as David disclosed that her heart had stopped for a harrowing four minutes.
Hannah tragically died on Sunday, leaving a void that is felt deeply by all who knew her.
In an effort to raise awareness, her parents have an important message for families dealing with food allergies.
“Always be aware, make sure your EpiPens are up to date,” Janeane Glass advised, underscoring the importance of vigilance in managing allergies.
Despite their immense grief, David and Janeane find solace in knowing that their daughter’s legacy continues through her selfless decision to donate her organs.
“We knew we had to donate her organs to save the lives of others,” David reflected, highlighting the enduring impact Hannah’s life will have.
Since her untimely passing, the gift of Hannah Glass’ organs has already led to the miraculous saving of four lives.
What inspired David and Janeane Glass to share their daughter’s story and raise awareness about nut allergies?
**Interview with David and Janeane Glass: A Community’s Loss and a Gift of Hope**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, David and Janeane. We want to express our deepest condolences for your loss. Hannah was clearly a beloved member of your family and the community. Can you tell us a bit more about her passions and what made her special?
**Janeane Glass**: Thank you for your kind words. Hannah was full of life and had such a beautiful spirit. She had a heart to serve the Lord and was always looking for ways to help others. She loved music, had a passion for her studies, and was so excited to start her journey at Maranatha Baptist University. She was our oldest child, and her enthusiasm for life inspired everyone around her.
**Editor**: It must be incredibly difficult for you both. Can you share what happened on that tragic day?
**David Glass**: It was a normal day at school. A friend of Hannah’s gave her a brownie from a women’s group event. She took a couple of bites, and then she sensed something was wrong. We believe the brownie contained roasted peanut flour. It’s a common misconception that if it’s not a typical form of peanut product, it may be safe, but it wasn’t. Unfortunately, Hannah had a severe nut allergy, and within minutes, everything changed.
**Editor**: That’s an incredibly heartbreaking story. And in the face of such tragedy, you’ve made the decision to donate Hannah’s organs. Can you tell us about that decision?
**Janeane Glass**: It was a very difficult decision, but we felt it was the right thing to do. Hannah was always looking to help others, and we knew that by donating her organs, she could give someone else a second chance at life. It brought us some comfort to think that her legacy could live on through others.
**David Glass**: Yes, we want to honor her memory. We believe she would have wanted to make a difference, and this is just one way we can do that. It’s about finding hope in an unimaginable situation.
**Editor**: The community of Watertown seems to be coming together in support of your family. What has that meant to you during this time?
**Janeane Glass**: The support has been overwhelming. Seeing so many people gather at Calvary Baptist Church to honor Hannah has touched our hearts deeply. It reminds us that she made an impact in her short time here. The love and compassion from the community mean everything to us.
**David Glass**: It really shows that despite the tragedy, love can prevail. We are so grateful for everyone who has reached out to us and honored Hannah’s memory. We just hope that through sharing her story, we can raise awareness about nut allergies and help prevent future tragedies.
**Editor**: Thank you both for sharing your story with us. Hannah’s legacy and the generosity of your decision to donate her organs will surely inspire others. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
**Janeane and David Glass**: Thank you for having us, and for shedding light on Hannah’s story.
