Amber Marie Bernier

BRATTLEBORO -- Centre Congregational Church on Main Street was filled to overflowing Sunday afternoon for funeral services for Amber Marie Bernier.

Officiating was Rev. Fred Edmonds, pastor of Centre Congregational Church, and the Rev. Dennis Roth, pastor of First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro. Music for the service was under the direction of Christopher Lewis, Centre Church's organist who offered preludes prior to the start of the service.

The choral introit was “Holy, Holy, Holy,” by Franz Schubert, sung by the Centre Church Choir. The opening hymn was “Unto the Hills We Lift Our Longing Eyes.”

Words of welcome and the invocational prayer was offered by Rev. Edmonds. Scripture passages read by Rev. Roth included Psalm 121, Psalm 23 and the Gospel of John 14: 1-3,15-19, 27.

Special music for the service featured soloist Brittany Pollard singing, “Beautiful” by Linda Perry.

The meditation was offered by Rev. Edmonds, who then gave a prayer of thanksgiving.

Words of remembrance and reflections were given by Rev. Roth, Ashley Crandall, Amber's best friend, and Maribeth Dedecko, one of Amber's teachers at the Career Center at Brattleboro Union High School. Rev. Roth concluded his eulogy with the singing of “Amber With the Light Brown Hair,” sung a cappella.

A musical selection, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” was sung by the Centre Church Choir.

A special reading included a poem composed by Samantha Buchanan that was read by Libby Peterson.

The congregation joined in reciting the commendation which was followed by the benediction and choral response.

The closing hymn was “Amazing Grace,” which was followed by the organ postlude.

Committal services and burial followed in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery where Rev. Roth gave the Prayers of Committal.

Serving as pallbearers were; Robert Raymond and Timothy Sontag, both uncles, Christopher Clews, a brother-in-law, Gary Rogers, Amber's godfather, Richard Doody, a second cousin, and John Merrigan, a close personal friend of Amber.

Honorary bearers included: Jesse Belanger, Luke Cote, Brian Frechette, Jess Blomgren, John Righi and Ben Clark.

Special photo collages displayed at the funeral home during the visitation and at the church were prepared by Libby Peterson, Sara Strassenberg, Haido Pappadopalus, Sasha McCallister, Emmie Twomblie, Ashley Crandall, and Dannielle Herring.

A reception followed the services held at Centre Church hosted by the members of both Centre Congregational Church and First Congregational Church Saturday evening. An estimated 700 family members, friends and neighbors paid their respects at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.

Among the many attending the church services, delegations present included students and faculty from Brattleboro Union High School and Career Center, the members of the BUHS Class of 2004, Brattleboro Area Middle School, Academy School, Riverview Café, Baker's Hallmark, Clinical Support Options and Franklin Clinical Associates, both of Greenfield, Mass., Chelsea Royal Diner, Brattleboro Hoopsters and Brattleboro Community Members.

Bernier, 17, of Yorkshire Circle, a senior at Brattleboro Union High School, died Wednesday, March 3, 2004, at her home.

Arrangements were under the direction of the ATAMANIUK FUNERAL HOME.