On February 1st, 21-year-old Jimmy St. Pierre stalked and assaulted Amy Brousseau. Despite prompt arrival of police and ambulance, the prayers and support of the entire town and the efforts of medical personnel in two hospitals, Amy later succumbed to her injuries. Townspeople would remember the tragedy of Amy’s death for decades. And as gun violence continues to figure in so many headlines, her story seems even more relevant today.
Her family was left with immeasurable grief and the pain of seeing a life that was so promising cut short. In 2022, her older sister Nancy wrote the following recollection of her young sister’s life and death.
REMEMBERING AMY
Our little sister, Amy, came into our lives on May 22, 1950. A beautiful baby girl who delighted us all. Unfortunately, Amy got off to a rocky start. When she was only three weeks old we knew something was wrong. She was unable to keep down any formula and was losing weight. At the tender age of six weeks Amy underwent surgery to remove a polyp that was blocking her digestive tract. She quickly recovered and soon became a healthy and lovely baby who we all adored. She was a bright and inquisitive little girl who wanted to know about everything. The years seemed to go quickly and soon Amy was off to school. She proved to be a good student and made many friends. We all watched over her through those formative years, and before we knew it, she was a teenager. This was a time of change in all our lives as older siblings married and had babies of their own. Our little sister now became Auntie Amy, much loved by her nieces and nephews and their very favorite babysitter.
When Amy entered high school she soon discovered her love of writing and wrote many stories, essays, and poems. She greatly admired John and Jackie Kennedy, and after John was elected President she wrote him a letter. President Kennedy wrote back to Amy and she treasured the letter he had sent her. Amy had a very kind nature and cared about others less fortunate than her. For someone so young she cared deeply about the state of the world but was also a sunny and fun loving teenager.
(family photo: Amy going to her first prom at Newmarket High School)
Amy was very happy and excited when asked to go to her very first prom. We all remember how lovely she looked that evening when she was off to dance and have a great time with her friends.
In Amy’s junior year her life entered what was for her a difficult time. No one knows why or how Jimmy St. Pierre came to be obsessed with her. Amy was very popular and had many friends and never refused to listen to other’s problems and help whenever she could. This young man began to stalk Amy, and when she would not respond to his unwanted attention he began to threaten her. This was a very worrisome time for Amy and her family. All we could do was try to protect her and keep him away from her. One day in March, when Amy was walking home from school with a friend, Jimmy St. Pierre carried out his threat shooting Amy multiple times with a handgun and critically wounding her. Amy fought hard for her life during the eight weeks she was hospitalized in critical condition. On Easter Sunday in March 1967, she lost that battle. Only 16 years old, Amy passed away and was lost to us forever.
Our little sister, Amy, was taken from us by a senseless act of violence that can never be forgotten, as well as the grief and loss our family suffered. We remember her often and wonder what her life would have been if she had been able to live it. We will always remember the lovely, happy girl we knew and loved. Amy will live on in our memories and our hearts forever.
Nancy (Brousseau) LaBranche