Gofundme page honors Sunnyland principal who ‘was so many things to so many people’
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Lynn Heimsoth murder
Sunnyland Elementary School Principal Lynn Heimsoth, her therapy dog Sukha and the family cat were shot to death Dec. 26, 2019, at her home west of Bellingham. Kevin Heimsoth, her husband who reportedly attempted to kill himself after her death, has been charged with murder and animal cruelty.
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A Gofundme account has been started in honor of Lynn Heimsoth, the former Sunnyland Elementary principal who was found fatally shot in her home along with her therapy dog Dec. 26.
The account was started four days after Heimsoth’s death by Katy Rudolph of Snohomish, who identified herself in the post as once working as one of Heimsoth’s assistant principals, and has raised nearly half its $5,000 goal.
Money raised through the account will go to help Lynn’s son and daughter with the cost of the funeral and other legal fees, Heimsoth’s brother Jeff Fairman told The Bellingham Herald.
“Lynn Heimsoth was so many things to so many people,” Rudolph said on the gofundme page. “She was an excellent leader to her staff, students and community members. She was also a mom to two kids (Amanda and Kent) she loved more than anything.”
Heimsoth, 58, was found dead in her home in the 900 block of Marine Drive on the morning of Dec. 26. Her death was ruled a homicide by the Whatcom County Medical Examiner.
Heimsoth’s therapy dog, Sukha — who attended school with her — and a cat were also found fatally shot.
Kevin Heimsoth was formally charged Friday, Jan. 3, with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree animal cruelty (a felony) by the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said Kevin Heimsoth has not been formally arrested yet because he would need to appear before a judge within 72 hours, and that is not practical at this time due to his hospitalization. Elfo said deputies at his bedside and continue to monitor Heimsoth, who was listed in satisfactory condition earlier this week.
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.
“Her story ended short but included so many people along the way,” Rudolph wrote on the gofundme post. “She was an elementary school principal, (and) everything she did was for the students. She had a way to connect with kids and help others see each students’ strengths.
“Lynn and her pup, Sukha, knew what kids needed and how to get them to shine. She knew how to make you laugh when you were having a tough day and always helped even when help wasn’t requested. She was strong, smart, generous and kind. She was Lynn Heinsoth — an amazing human being.”
More than 200 people attended a candlelight vigil held in her honor at Sunnyland Elementary on Dec. 27.
Approximately 650 people showed up for a celebration of life for Lynn Heimsoth, which was held at the Bellingham High School Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 4. Moles Farewell Tributes handled the service.
Sunnyland Elementary students returned to classes on Monday, Jan. 6, and were joined on-site by the district’s and Whatcom County’s mobile response teams to continue to provide support for students or adults who needed it.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 7:48 AM.
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