She graduated from Hofstra University in Long Island, New York. She was then a Fulbright Scholar at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat in Munich, Germany where she studied German and English Literature.
Daughter of Maria A. Boylan of Ronkonkoma, Long Island, New York and Peter M. Boylan of Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York; Stepdaughter of Susan Boylan. Daughter-in-law of Margaret L. Heisserer and Andrew J. Heisserer of Norman, Oklahome.