A former jazz instructor at the University of Manitoba has posted a statement on Facebook about his daughter's death in the Connecticut school shooting.

Saxophonist Jimmy Greene thanks everyone for supporting his family as they work through what he calls "this nightmare."

He says the response to Ana's death reminds him "how much we're loved and supported on this Earth and by our Father in heaven."

Ana was in Grade 1 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., where a gunman killed 20 children and six adults.

Her older brother, Isaiah, is in Grade 3 at the school, but wasn't hurt.

The family lived in Winnipeg for three years while Greene taught at the university, but they returned home to Connecticut earlier this year.

"As much as she's needed here and missed by her mother, brother and me, Ana beat us all to paradise," Greene posted Saturday.

"I love you sweetie girl."

Ana and Isaiah had attended Linden Christian School in Winnipeg before the move.

"This is an outstanding family. They were great members of our community. It's a heart-wrenching tragedy," said principal Rob Charach.

"There aren't words to describe the pain and anguish they are going through ... that all the families of the victims are going through."

Greene is an accomplished jazz saxophone player, composer and band leader who played countless gigs while he was in Winnipeg.

His wife, Nelba MDarquez-Greene, a licensed marriage and family therapist, taught for two years at the University of Winnipeg.

Ana's Puerto Rican grandmother, Elba Marquez, told The Associated Press on Friday that the girl's parents enrolled her at Sandy Hook school because of its good reputation.

"They looked for the best school for their daughter, the best," said Marquez, who added that she had visited Connecticut for Thanksgiving.

"It was a beautiful place, just beautiful. What happened does not match up with the place where they live."