Family of slain Sunnyland Elementary principal asks for stories, memories and photos
The family of the Sunnyland Elementary principal who was fatally shot in her home last week is asking for stories, memories and photographs to help them honor Lynn Heimsoth.
Though the family originally planned to hold a celebration of life for Heimsoth at the Moles Farewell Tributes Bayview Chapel, a spokesperson for Moles said it has been moved to the Bellingham High School Performing Arts Center because of the outpouring of community support. Moles is expecting more than 1,000 people to attend the celebration, which is slated to begin at noon Saturday, Jan. 4.
An obituary, which ran in the Thursday, Jan. 2, edition of The Bellingham Herald, said that Heimsoth’s children welcome stories, memories and photographs of their mother and asked that they be sent to Moles to be passed along. Memories also can be shared online at molesfarewelltributes.com.
Heimsoth, 58, and two family pets were found fatally shot in the family’s home in the 900 block of Marine Drive Thursday morning, Dec. 26.
Her husband, 56-year-old Kevin Heimsoth, was identified as the suspected shooter by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
Kevin Heimsoth remains in serious condition Thursday, Jan. 2, in the Intensive Care Unit at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Harborview spokesperson Susan Gregg told The Bellingham Herald. He is under guard by law enforcement.
More than 200 people attended a candlelight vigil held in Lynn Heimsoth’s honor at Sunnyland Elementary on Friday, Dec. 27.
Lynn Heimsoth was the principal at Sunnyland Elementary since July 2017. She previously served as the principal at Shoultes Elementary in Marysville for four years. She also worked for Bremerton, North Kitsap and South Kitsap school districts as an elementary teacher and instructional leader, according to the school district.
In the two years she was principal at Sunnyland Elementary School, Lynn Heimsoth and her therapy dog, Sukha, showed the students, parents and community unconditional love and support.
On Monday, Dec. 30, Bellingham Public Schools Superintendent Greg Baker in a letter to parents that Amy Berreth, the dean at Sunnyland, will step in as principal, while Brian Pahl will serve as dean and continue to support staff with technology professional development.
“Lynn was a beacon of light and positivity with a heart for children,” Baker wrote in Monday’s letter. “Our hearts go out to each and every person who loved Lynn — her family, her students, her staff, her colleagues and her friends. Her light is gone too soon, along with that of her dog Sukha, a trained therapy dog and a beloved member of the Sunnyland community.”
Members of the school district’s counseling and support team will be available for students at Sunnyland Elementary on Jan. 6 when the students return from winter break.
The district also provided resources for families to speak with their children about the tragedy, which help deal with death and grief.
Baker said Sunnyland families should expect another email later this week with details about next week’s return to class.
Kevin Heimsoth may have admitted to killing his family on a Twitter account that appears to be associated with him in replies to the National Rifle Association, President Donald Trump and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said he could not comment Friday on the Twitter account.
Twitter has since suspended the account.
Domestic violence resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org.
This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 11:29 AM.
