Friends, family memorialize SeaWorld trainer

CHICAGO — As the Rev. Thomas McCarthy finished his homily Monday for SeaWorld whale trainer Dawn Brancheau, at least a dozen candles flickered to represent the “light” she gave to her work, family, friends and faith.

“We must honor her by giving the light she has given to us,” McCarthy told about 200 people who gathered at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel for Brancheau’s funeral. “This is not the end for Dawn. This is a transition.”

Brancheau was killed Feb. 24 when
Tilikum, a 12,000-pound killer whale, pulled her into the water by her
ponytail as at least two dozen tourists watched in horror. The incident
happened near the end of a session with the whale, the largest in
SeaWorld Orlando’s collection.

Tilikum has been involved in two other deaths since 1991, but SeaWorld officials say they plan to keep the animal.

Brancheau was born in Evergreen Park, Ill., south of Chicago, and raised in Cedar Lake, Ind. The youngest of six children earned her the nickname the “little caboose,” her nephew said.

The emotional funeral featured inspirational songs, music that Terri Lenz said was carefully chosen to fit Brancheau and her fun-loving
personality. Lenz, who sang “Wind Beneath My Wings,” said Brancheau’s
family requested that song.

Mary Burgess and Mary Speckhard, who
knew Brancheau since second grade, said Brancheau never forgot the
small things like birthdays and sending Christmas cards.

“When you were with her, she made you feel … she just loved you,” said Speckhard, 40, of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Memorial services will take place in Orlando at a later date.

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