Lynn Barnicle loved reading. As a fifth grade teacher at Arbor Heights Elementary School she brought a special passion to reading and impressed everyone with her love of books. When she died of Leukemia in July of 2009 it left a big void in the lives of all those she had taught, and the entire school community.

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Thursday night, May 27, hundreds of people gathered to honor Barnicle's memory by naming the school library after her. The Lynn Barnicle Memorial Library will now carry a very special sign, made by her close friend and artist, Michael Dupille. Dupille created the sign out of fused glass.

Carol Coram, Arbor Heights Principal said, "Basically it was a staff idea, and so it was not anything we could just do. because there's school district policy. We had to submit it...and it finally gets to the school board for their approval. Then we decided as a staff, that since we have this young authors conference every year where they write books and we celebrate their writing...and we have a book fair going on, we decided this would be the appropriate time to name the library after Lynn."

In remarks Coram made to the crowd she said, " We can all take some solace in the good and lasting work Miss Barnicle did in her too brief lifetime. The results of her outstanding teaching and beneficial influence on students lives will live on. Her students in a very real sense are a monument to Miss Barnicle's life and dreams. To perpetuate those dreams we dedicate this school library in her name, The Lynn Barnicle Memorial Library."

In attendance for the ceremony were her mother Joyce and two sons, Danny, 19 and Colin 20. Danny said, "To me, it's a nice honor for my mom. It shows how involved she was as a teacher. She also won an award from Seattle University, so it's kind of cool she's being recognized by the school she actually taught at." Colin said, "This means everything to me. It's great to keep the school in the family to keep it so close to us. My brother and I have gone here since we were in kindergarten. Once we graduated my mom started teaching here...I'm glad that our Mom could continue to be part of this school and we can continue to help the community and be associated with the school in any way we can."

Barnicle's mother Joyce said, "This is tremendously sentimental to me because it was Lynn's livelihood and she loved it and people still love her. I'm deeply, deeply honored. Particularly for her boys."

On a card at the event was written:

"Ms. B as she was called in the classroom, was fondly revered by her students. It is out of respect that we humbly, but affectionately, tip our hat to a teacher who brought life into the classroom. Her lessons were inspiring as well as relevant, often infused with poetry, art, music, open-ended discussions, thought provoking quotes, real-life experiences, lots of fun and oodles of laughter. Sadly, real life hit hard and fast when Lynn was diagnosed with Leukemia. Concern for her students remained her focus while she battled her disease. She continued to plan their lessons and was in constant coordination with the substitute teacher she personally selected to fulfill her classroom duties. Leukemia took Lynn from us while she still had so many lessons to teach. She was brave as she battled her disease and was often more concerned about its impact on others than its toll upon herself. Perhaps she taught us all, the greatest lesson of all. She taught us to live with eloquence - to smile and endure what life throws before us.
We are grateful for our short time with Ms. B and we dedicate this library as a symbol of our everlasting appreciation of her spirit, her talents and her tireless care for others."