HOLYOKE – Heather Evelyn Casper ended her battle with cancer at her home in Holyoke, surrounded by her family, friends and cats on October 14, 2012. She was 37.She leaves behind many friends and family including her husband, Jason Cournoyer; her brother, Michael Casper; her mother, Gale Casper and her father Edward Casper. Heather will be remembered as an inspiration and someone who lived life to its fullest. She was born in Connecticut. At a young age, her family moved to Brimfield. Her teen years were spent in western Pennsylvania where she enjoyed being a girl scout.
After high school, she moved back to Connecticut where she attended the University of Connecticut. While in the UCONN marching band, she met her future husband and fellow saxophone player Jason. She persuaded him to join her in the UCONN Ballroom Dance Club where they had great fun. After graduating with a degree in Business Management, she married and moved to Westfield. She was an active member in the Neighbors and Newcomers Club of Greater Westfield holding the position of social director. She started working as a substitute teacher, then as an MCAS teacher in Westfield. She decided that she wanted to be a high school math teacher so she taught herself and passed the state licensure tests. She taught in many schools, most recently Cathedral High in Springfield. She and Jason moved to Holyoke after falling in love with an antique house. She volunteered at the Northampton Senior Center where she enjoyed helping with bingo. Heather had many passions. She loved her roses, music, pinochle, ballroom dancing, swimming, cats, old movies and sunsets on the Cape to name only a few.
Heather will be greatly missed. Funeral and burial services will be at the convenience of the family.
