October 28, 2026 | By Lisa Scagliotti A Sunday memorial service in Waterbury is planned for 14-year-old Gracie Dunbar, who died in a car crash in Warren last weekend.
The service will take place at 1 p.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church on South Main Street.
Gracie Dunbar, 2012-2026
School officials at Harwood Union High School on Wednesday announced the arrangements, with an invitation to all in the school community to attend.
The limited parking at the church will be reserved for family and close friends. The school district has asked for attendees to park at Crossett Brook Middle School, where buses will shuttle people to the church in downtown Waterbury. All are asked to arrive at the middle school by noon to board the shuttles.
Dunbar was a ninth grader from Duxbury at Harwood this school year. She died from injuries suffered in a one-car crash in Warren on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Her family shared an obituary on Wednesday that included an invitation to the community to join them in celebrating Gracie’s life.
“Family, friends, and members of the community are invited to gather in love and remembrance, to support one another through this heartbreaking loss, and to celebrate the precious life of a girl who meant so much to so many,” they said.
There will be a private reception for family and close friends following the burial.
Support resources
Harwood Principal Meg McDonough and Superintendent Mike Leichliter on Wednesday also shared a message to school staff, students and parents about resources available for those coping with the tragedy.
“Grieving, remembering, and living through loss carry so many emotions—poignant, raw, and entirely unique to each of us. Some might feel angry, numb, sad, or uncertain about how they feel,” they wrote. “They might have known Gracie well, only casually, or not at all. Students do not need a specific reason to seek help; if they are having a difficult time, that is reason enough.”
School schedules and routines remain unchanged this week, the school leaders noted, but they acknowledged that some students and staff will need time and support to deal with the loss.
In addition to the school’s Wellness Center, school counselors are available. The communication shared contact information for the counselors along with other online and community mental health resources.
The school shared this list of providers:
Washington County Mental Health Services: 802-229-0591. Students can be referred to Children’s Access if they need additional support quickly.
Adults can access Home Health & Hospice Grief Group. Diane Moore is the contact: 802-224-2241 or dmoore@cvhh.org
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a helpline that provides emotional support, and mental health information for non-urgent help. Call: 800-950-6264; Text NAMI to 62640; Email at helpline@nami.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
In addition, several other sources of information for parents included these articles: Tips for Teens Who are Grieving, Supporting Teens after the Death of a Friend, Back to School with Grief.
Online fundraiser
To assist the family, an online fundraiser has been launched with the goal of providing support to help cover funeral costs and medical expenses. It was organized by community member LeAnna Montgomery, mother of Harwood student Vinny Viola, who died in a car crash in Warren in September.
Montgomery calls on the community to show kindness to yet another grieving family.
“It is difficult to put into words the sadness and heartbreak we are all feeling,” she writes in the fundraiser introduction. “As a mother who has also experienced the unimaginable pain of losing a child, my heart aches for this family. There are no words that can take away their pain, and no parent should ever have to experience the heartbreak of burying their child. I know firsthand how important it is to feel the love and support of your community when your world has been turned upside down.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the fundraiser had collected over $15,000 towards a goal of $16,000.