Signal Staff Writer
mgasca@the-signal.com
Posted: Nov. 21, 2009 8:26 p.m.
Family members and friends might never know why Brigett Andrea Kennemore took her life, but at her memorial service on Saturday, they instead tried to focus was on why she was loved.
"She was a very sweet, vibrant, beautiful, caring young woman," said Kennemore's aunt Debra Love, of Newhall.
At NorthPark Community Church in Valencia, family and friends gathered around Kennemore's memorial table. One by one they each placed a red rose by her ashes and pictures.
Kennemore's body was found on Nov. 9 off Interstate 5 and Highway 126 after a two-week search for the missing 18-year old Valencia High School student. Coroner's officials confirmed Kennemore's cause of death was suicide.
Kennemore, who relatives said was developmentally disabled, lived in Newhall.
"Brigett experienced a bad day because she was upset over issues beyond her control," said Matt Stemme, the associate pastor at NorthPark who led the service. "She ended up lost and alone, sad and wandering."
"No one will ever know what was going on in her mind," he added. "There is no one to blame."
But Stemme encouraged the 50-plus family and friends at the service to live beyond questioning Kennemore's motive and instead to focus on her life and smile.
"She always seemed to have a big and genuine smile," Stemme said.
Brigett's mother, Melinda Kennemore, said she will always miss her daughter's physical presence but was grateful her body was found.
"I feel like I have her back," said Brigett's mother, Melinda Kennemore. "Lots of missing kids don't even return home. I feel she has returned home to me now."
Kennemore enjoyed caring for animals, doing makeup and hair and writing, relatives said. Stemme ended the service with two poems written by Kennemore. From her poem, "Love," Stemme recited:
Love it is trust
Love it is life
Love it is hard
Love it is a feeling
Love it is natural
A fund has been set up for the family in Kennemore's name. Those who wish to donate to the family may do so at any Bank of America branch. Checks can be written to "The Brigett Kennemore Memorial Fund."
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