BOISE- Friends, family and students gathered to say goodbye to Mary Ellen Ryder, killed in last week's Amity Road inferno.

"We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while," said Sandi MacFadden, the reverend for the memorial.

Mary Ellen Ryder was a a well-loved professor from Boise State University...

"I grieve for all the students that will never have the honor to hear her teach," said Michelle Payne, the chair English Department:

The 56-year-old taught linguistics for 20 years and colleagues described her as "always being there" for her students.

"She gave me so much of herself, of her time. She gave me as much love as a sister would and I feel like she was my sister," said Sharon Miller, a close friend of Mary Ellen.

One of Mary Ellen's former students came all the way from Denver to say goodbye to the professor he says inspired him to become a teacher,"She's really been influential as a teacher and shown me who I am and who I want to be," said Ryan Lopez, a former student.

Loved ones talked about Mary Ellen's love of signing, the laughter she brought into their lives and her generosity and to celebrate her life everyone joined together to sing one of her favorite song's to say goodbye.