SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- “Natalia was a volunteer with a capital letter V. She would have gone far and beyond what we would ask for,” said Gary Pelletier.

Saratoga Youth Hockey's Pelletier stands in front of Saratoga Springs Ice Rink. It is where he remembers 40-year-old Natalia Hogan. He remembers how she helped bring new skaters in and helped his son learn to skate.

“I just remember her on the ice with my son and taking the time, because I am not a skater,” said Pelletier.

Sadly, Hogan died Sunday after collapsing while she was riding in a city bike race.

Hogan is described by many as an active athlete. Pelletier says along with biking, she ran, played hockey and ran snow shoe races.

“It was very shocking, I got the call yesterday. It would have been the last person I would have thought would have been struck down like that,” Pelletier said.

Saratoga Springs police say Hogan died of an undisclosed illness. And her death also leaves a large void in the Saratoga Springs School District where she was an English teacher.

"Natalia was an outstanding teacher who was well respected by her department and colleagues. She did a marvelous job," high school principal Frank Crowley said in a statement.

The school district has set up grief counselors to help students and staff cope with the loss.