Family and friends fill church for Fairport teacher's funeral

Posted at: 08/02/2012 4:42 PM | Updated at: 08/02/2012 6:18 PM
By: Amanda Ciavarri | WHEC.com

Just before Megan Merkel's arraignment early Thursday afternoon, the friends and family of Heather Boyum gathered in Fairport to say their final goodbyes. Boyum was a wife, a mother and worked as a science teacher with Fairport High School for 10 years.

At her funeral, it was about celebrating her life. Many considered Boyum to be a bright spot in the community. At the service, it was standing room only, and the ceremony seemed to be emotional for everyone involved.

Tim Kenny, a student of Boyum's said, "She always encouraged me. She had a lot more faith in me than I did in myself."

Thursday, we heard how Heather Boyum was madly in love with her life. From her role as a teacher at Fairport High School to her love for athletics, and most of all being a wife and mother. Those who knew her best spoke at the service to explain how she had a passion for it all.

One thing I'm told people will remember most is how she treated others.

"She touched so many people," says Brian Venton, friend of Heather Boyum. "The unique thing about her was she was such a spark. Some people when they meet somebody they are instant friends and they remain that way forever."

"She was more than a teacher," says Kenny. "She went and surpassed that. She was a friend and a life long friend. It will remain that way."

Thursday at Saint John of Rochester Church those who loved Boyum shared their memory of her. Like Jason Leonard, who grew up with Boyum. They spent summers on a lake in Canada together.

"Every summer she'd show up and put a smile on everyone's face," says Leonard. "She instilled a lot of self confidence in everyone. Even though she was better than everyone else she always talked about how everyone else could be better themselves."

Everyone who spoke Thursday made it clear while their hearts are breaking right now, they need to remember some of Boyum's own words of encouragement: 'Celebrate life, laugh more, say yes often, push harder and love with all you have.'

Perhaps the most emotional parts of the funeral today was the priest turning to Boyum's children and telling them never to forget their mother is with them always.

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