Amy Boyle
2008-06-03
Amy Boyle, 12, daughter of Michael and Hannah Boyle, died June 3 at her home in Reston. She had a brain tumor.
A memorial service will be held June 9 at 2 p.m. at the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Md. Burial is private.
Amy was born March 9, 1996, in Arlington. She attended Dogwood Elementary School through the fifth grade and served in the student government. She attended sixth grade at Hunters Woods Elementary School this year, until her illness prevented her from continuing.
Amy excelled in the Reston Youth Basketball League and went on to play on Reston and Great Falls travel basketball teams. She was known for her confident, focused play and her skills as a point guard. She also served as ball girl for the South Lakes Seahawks baseball team throughout its 2007 season, during her brother Michael’s senior year as outfielder and pitcher.
In her time at Hunters Woods, Amy made many friends, who responded to her illness by forming a team to participate in this year’s Reston Relay for Life. "Amy’s Amigos" raised $8,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Sunrise Valley Elementary School chose to honor Amy in its annual 5K Walk to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation. More than 400 people walked and ran, and raised $17,000.
Amy earned a reputation being forthright and realistic. She was at ease with a wide range of people, showing remarkable poise even when meeting her favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Her Make-A-Wish visit to Pittsburgh included an appearance on the Jerome Bettis Show during the fall 2007 football season.
She enjoyed working in the church nursery. She also returned home with great memories after attending a camp last summer with other children suffering from cancer and enjoyed the friendship of several Romanian children.
Survivors also include her sister Mary; three brothers, Mike, Tim and Nolan; her grandparents, Don and Mary Boyle of Sterling, and Ben and Alice McCarley of Edmond, Okla.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Memorials may be sent to the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation, 20312 Watkins Meadow Drive, Germantown, MD 20876, www.childhoodbraintumor.org; or Romanian Christian Enterprises, 21058 Unison Road, Middleburg, VA 20117, www.rcenterprises.org.
Arrangements are by Adams-Green Funeral Home of Herndon.