Amber Eloise Kennybrook

On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, Amber Eloise Kennybrook died unexpectedly at the age of 20. Amber is a 2019 graduate of Neillsville High School.

Amber was born in Watertown, New York, on October 11, 2001. Amber's family moved to North Carolina when she was two and then later to Georgia.  When Amber was 11, along with her mom and sister, she moved to Wisconsin in the middle of a frigid winter. Despite this “climate shock,” Amber eagerly discovered the joys of playing in the snow with cousins and her new friends.

In high school, Amber was a conscientious student and a hard worker. Amber was known for being fiercely protective and an advocate for “the underdog” when she saw someone being treated unfairly—even willing to stand up to authority to stick by her principles. Amber loved to write and aspired to be a published author. She had a way with words, whether it was something she was passionate about, angry about, or when giving advice.

She demonstrated her work ethic by getting a job at A&W as soon as she was old enough, then worked at Hardee's where she worked her way up to shift leader. Her dedication and hard work paid off as she was able to pay cash for her first car. Recently, Amber moved to Marshfield, WI, where she had the opportunity to work as a caregiver to utilize her gifts of empathy and compassion.

Amber could light up a room when she walked in with her sweet smile, quick wit, and hilarious commentaries. Everyone who knew Amber knows how much she loved animals, especially her cats, Sebastian and Gary. Her eyes would light up at just the mention of them. During the family Zoom gatherings this past year, we saw as much of her cats as we did Amber!

Just as the yellow caterpillar in her favorite book, Hope for the Flowers, Amber was thoughtfully searching for purpose and understanding in life, all the while keeping the well-being of others in mind, following her heart, being genuine towards others, and, most importantly, always being herself. 

Amber, an avid Dr. Who fan, might have appreciated this reference to The Eleventh Doctor’s pondering, “We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?” Well, with her sweet smile, kind heart, and inner light, Amber “made it a good one” during her much-too-short-time in this world. 

A memorial service for Amber will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 10, 2021, at Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Amber was survived by her mother, Heather (Brey) Kennybrook, sister, Nova Kennybrook, grandparents, Kathy (Lulloff) Albers, Arthur Brey, bonus grandfather, Robert Albers, great grandmother, Peg (Kitzhaber) Brey, aunt, Becky (Brey) Lerche, cousins, Zoe, Rae, and Lynzie, and many great aunts, uncles, and extended cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Clark County Humane Society, W3926 State Highway 73, Neillsville, WI  54456.