More than 500 mourners packed a funeral service in the South Shore town of Barrington Tuesday afternoon to remember Karissa Boudreau, whose death is being investigated as a homicide.

Paul Boudreau is comforted Tuesday by friends attending a memorial service for his 12-year-old daughter, Karissa Boudreau, in Barrington, N.S.
(Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

Family, friends, classmates and community members streamed into the service held in H M Huskilson's Funeral Home. Children brought teddy bears in remembrance of the 12-year-old girl who loved stuffed toys.

Also attending were Karissa's father, Paul Boudreau, of Shelburne, and her mother, Penny Boudreau and Boudreau's boyfriend, Vernon MacCumber, who live in Bridgewater.

Karissa was living with her mother in Bridgewater when she disappeared Jan. 27. Her frozen body was discovered Feb. 9 by a passerby on the banks of the LaHave River, just outside town limits.

Rev. Perry Ingersoll presided over the hour-long service in the small chapel decorated with pink and white roses. A statute of an angel sat in front of the pink coffin. Pictures of the smiling brown-haired girl were taped to pink and blue pieces of cardboard.

Ingersoll told the congregation that Karissa had a warm personality, a "winning smile" and a love for animals. She had talked about studying to become a veterinarian.

The service featured a slide show, a poem read aloud and some of Karissa's favourite music — Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly," which includes the lyrics: "Wherever you go, I always know, 'cause you make me smile, even just for a while."

Karissa was buried in Clark's Harbour.

South Shore schools closed for funeral

Bridgewater police and the RCMP said Karissa was the victim of a homicide, but released few details.

Sgt. John Colley, Bridgewater police spokesman, said police arrested two people known to Karissa late last week, but released them 24 hours later.

Several South Shore schools will be closed to give staff and students a chance to attend Karissa's funeral service. Karissa's body was released to her father, Paul Boudreau.

Until November, Karissa attended Grade 6 at Hillcrest Elementary School in Shelburne.

Principal Steven Pippy remembered her Monday as part of a group of Grade 5 and 6 students who volunteered to keep the peace among younger children on the school playground.

"They interact with the students, encourage positive behaviour, play with them, pick out the lonely child who looks like they need a companion," Pippy said. "And she fit in very well with that. That in itself explains what kind of an individual Karissa was."