A former teacher and high school official described the 21-year-old Life Time Fitness employee who contracted bacterial meningitis as an upbeat junior at Central Michigan University who loved working with children.

Beth Campbell, director of alumni relations at Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac, said, "Our community is obviously shocked and saddened by the recent events" involving Kristy Malter, 21.

She also wrote in a post on Facebook: "Please keep the Malter family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."

Earlier, Campbell announced that Malter had died, but on Thursday afternoon, George Miller, director of Oakland County Health and Human Services, would confirm only that Malter was on life support.Family could not be reached immediately for comment. So far, officials have said only that the person with meningitis was a Macomb County resident who worked at a Life Time Fitness in Rochester Hills as a day camp counselor.

Oakland County health officials are still scrambling to reach the 213 children and 39 employees who could have had direct contact with Malter when she worked at the camp between July 5 and 11. Of those reached, no one has reported any signs of meningitis, Miller said. Officials have not said whether they suspect that anyone other than Malter has fallen ill.

In high school, Malter was a member of the varsity cheer team for three years; teammates called her "Mama Kristy" because "she'd care for the needs of everyone," said Campbell, who is also the head cheerleading coach.

In March, Malter tweeted: "My goal in life is to help every person I meet realize how truly special they are."