On Friday, April 5 the memorial celebration for Justine Boyle was held at the Amasa Stone Chapel.

Though the occasion for the gathering was tragic, the message of the afternoon was one of hope and love, focusing on celebrating life rather than mourning the loss of it.

Dozens of students and several members of the classics department, the Residence Hall Association, Sigma Tau Delta and the music department showed up to celebrate the life of a Case Western Reserve University first-year student, Justine. Justine had been involved with the classics, music and English departments, and the communities came together to show their support at the service.

The program for the celebration included musical performances from Anna O’Connell, a graduate student with the Case Catholic Campus Ministry, and Steve Perry, also with the ministry.

Judy Hammer, the campus liaison for the Interreligious Council, greeted those in attendance and reminded students that there are counselors readily available to students in the case that they need it. Additionally, she reminded everyone that the CWRU community was there for everyone, and in times of hardship and loss, they could turn to the community for comfort.

The memorial celebration had remembrances in the Islamic, Jewish, Unitarian Universalist and Christian traditions, showing that no matter one’s faith, coping with loss and celebrating life can be understood by all. Five candles were lit to represent and acknowledge the life cycle. The candles stood for future, dreams, completion, hope and reflection.

The service emphasized moving on from loss and finding support in community.

After the memorial celebration service, students and members of the CWRU community came together to share memories of Justine and celebrate her presence in the CWRU community.