A memorial for Williamstown High School teacher Heather Oblisk was held Wednesday in front of the high school. (Photo by Tyler Bennett)

WILLIAMSTOWN — The Williamstown community came together in remembrance of teacher Heather Oblisk, who passed away over the weekend, in front of Williamstown High School on Wednesday evening.

Graduating from Williamstown in 1990 and earning her bachelor’s in business at Ohio Valley University and a master’s in speech and communications from West Virginia University, Oblisk spend the last 10 years teaching English and Speech at both the high school and college level with West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

Fellow WHS teacher Cyndi Pyles said the four things Oblisk cared about the most in life were her faith, friends, family and her students. Pyles also said that she was one of the best teachers because no matter how crazy her students made her in class, Oblisk still cared for them and gave them the best possible chance to succeed. As well as being a good friend.

“I think I can sum her up by saying that she was all about God, her friends, family, and her students. She had a love that I don’t think had any boundaries. Even when someone drove her crazy. She wanted to do whatever she could for them,” Pyles said. “She was passionate, smart, she made me laugh so often. She had a sarcasm about her. That even when you were so frustrated, she could say something incredibly witty and make me laugh. With all of the chaos of 2020, and so on, she was definitely a support, and a good friend.”

Chris Cameron, Oblisk’s brother, said Wednesday’s memorial service was proof of the positive impact Oblisk had in the community.

The Williamstown community participated in a memorial candlelight service for the passing of Williamstown High School teacher Heather Oblisk in front of Williamstown High School on Wednesday evening. (Photo by Tyler Bennett)

“She would be overwhelmed by the support that she had. She always wondered if she was doing anything that people would remember her and seeing this tonight, it’s obvious. She would be so humbled, but she would also be embarrassed by this because she doesn’t want people to make this big a fuss.”

“Fantastic teacher, a lot of the kids always gravitated to our classes, any kind of electives or anything that we ever offered were always full, because the kids loved being around and working with her,” said WHS Principal Jason Ward. “Mother of three children, and is very much involved in the school in the community. So it’s a devastating loss,” he said.

Oblisk was also the head softball coach at OVU for numerous years before becoming a teacher.

Her husband is Mike Oblisk, her daughters are Brynn, Riley, and Hallie, and she was a member of the North End Church of Christ.

First Baptist Church of Williamstown’s Pastor Tony Foreman started the memorial off by welcoming all who attended and then lead the crowd in prayer. Teacher Ashley Clark lead the crowd with two hymns and the trio of Haylee Smith, Brenden Smith and Jesse Eaton sang two songs as well, “Old Rugged Cross” and “It Is Well with My Soul.”

The memorial then closed with a candlelight service and a moment of silence.

Tyler Bennett can be reached at tbennett@newsandsentinel.com