Emily E. Brnger

Peterborough, NH Emily Elizabeth Brnger, 50, of Peterborough, peacefully died at her home on March 20, 2017, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born in Keene, N.H., on July 8, 1966, to Arthur Brnger and Marilyn Farrar. A 1988 graduate of Plymouth State College, with a master's degree from New England College in 1999, she was a teacher's aide at Hancock Elementary School in 1989 before moving to the Dublin Consolidated School as a first grade teacher in 1991. She remained there, teaching the primary grades, until her illness forced her to retire in November of 2016. In a message to all ConVal School District employees, Superintendent Kimberly Saunders wrote, "All who worked with Emily spoke of her caring nature and the incredible learning environment that she created for her students. Her sense of humor and genuine caring for each child was the cornerstone of her classroom." Emily's friends said that she had more patience than anyone in the world and that her read-alouds of the Junie B. Jones and Skippy Jon Jones books, and Little House on the Prairie, were unforgettable. She was an amazing teacher who taught generations of school children whom she cherished, encouraged and loved. In addition to her parents and stepmother, Ellen Brnger, Emily is survived by her two daughters, Hilary Dillen and her husband, Chad (who were married in Emily's living room on March 18), of Peterborough, and Shelby Bourgoine, also of Peterborough; her siblings, Peter Brnger and his wife, Anne, of Keene; Amy Brnger and her husband, Craig Hood, of Portsmouth; Sarah Gatchell and her husband, Will, also of Portsmouth; and her former husband, Larry Bourgoine, father of Hilary and Shelby. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 24, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dublin Community Church, 1125 Main St., Dublin, N.H. A funeral service will be held at the church on Saturday at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation; donate.nationalbreastcancer.org

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