Husband of teacher killed in Uvalde massacre dies 0:49
(CNN) --
An online fundraiser for the children of Irma Garcia, a respected teacher killed in the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting, and Joe Garcia, her husband, who died of a heart attack days later, has raised more than $2.5 million.
"Irma was a wife, mother of 4, cousin, sister, daughter, aunt, and a wonderful person. She would literally do anything for anyone...no questions asked," Debra Austin, her cousin, wrote in the GoFundMe campaign she created. .
"She loved the kids in her class and she died trying to protect them."
The initial goal of the campaign was US$10,000.
"100% of the proceeds will go to the Garcia family for various expenses," Austin said.
As of Sunday afternoon, 46,400 donations were made for a total of US$2,593,860.
"How do you shoot my baby?"
This lifeguard came to attend the shooting in Uvalde, then he knew that his daughter was dead
Irma Garcia's nephew, John Martinez, also started a GoFundMe for the late couple's family, which raised more than $500,000 and was later combined with the Austin fundraiser.
Garcia had worked as a teacher for 23 years, according to her school's bio page.
She was killed on Tuesday along with her colleague, Eva Mireles, and 19 children, by an 18-year-old attacker.
It was the deadliest school shooting in the United States in nearly 10 years.
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"Broken heart"
Her husband Joe died two days later of a fatal heart attack, which the couple's family blamed on a broken heart.
The two were "high school sweethearts," Martinez said at her fundraiser.
A tribute to the victims of the massacre in Uvalde 1:46
"I truly believe that Joe died of a broken heart and losing the love of his life for over 25 years was too much to bear," Austin wrote in an update on his fundraiser after Joe's death.
They leave behind four children, according to Irma García's school biography: Cristian, José, Lyliana and Alysandra.
Their children attended Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde Thursday night, according to CNN affiliate WFAA.
"They were people who attended church, always willing to help, always seeing what they could do in the community, not just for their children," Father Eduardo Morales, the family's pastor, told WFAA.
"And I hope we remember how generous they were."
His words echo Austin's description of the couple.
"Joe and Irma were incredible people and two of the most loving parents we have ever known as a family. They were so proud of all of their children," Austin said.
"You are loved and missed beyond words. Thank you again from the entire family."
Uvalde