Bernardine M. "Bunny" Mercier

Bernardine M. “Bunny” Mercier, 68, resident of Amherst, NH, formerly of Milford, NH, died on December 2, 2025 at her home.

She was born on August 15, 1957 in Merrimack, NH, the daughter of Raymond Guay and Beatrice (Bennett) Guay.

Lovingly known as Ms. Bunny, she welcomed children into her home daycare for 38 years, creating a warm and nurturing environment where they could learn, grow, and feel truly loved. Her in-home childcare program became a trusted and cherished place for families in the community, thanks to her kindness, patience, and genuine devotion to every child she cared for.

When not working, Bunny loved baking, fondly referred to as “the cookie lady”, as she made dozens of cookies and her beloved whoopie pies. She enjoyed tending her many beautiful flower gardens, collecting precious moments, doing puzzles, and most especially spending time with her loving family.

Bunny was also a member of the Souhegan Valley Christian Church Amherst (formerly Amherst Christian Church) where her loving aura will be dearly missed in the community. Everywhere she went she filled the room with her loving and positive energy.

She was predeceased by her parents, as well as siblings Bonita Dobens, Raymond Guay, Ronald Guay, Richard Guay and Rodney Guay.

Family members include her loving husband of 38 years, Roger Mercier of Amherst, NH; her children, Faith Richard of Ocala, FL, Craig Maschio and wife Melissa of Anderson, SC and Bryan Mercier of Alburgh, VT; grandson, Colin Richard of Ocala, FL; siblings Rebecca and William Chickering of Haverhill NH, Brenda Thomas of Haverhill NH, Roberta and Yvon Lussier of Nashua NH, Roxann Drew of Dunstable MA, Russell and Mary Quinn of Westbrook ME, as well as Robert and Susan Guay of Pittsfield NH. Bunny is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless other lives that she touched over the years.

Memorial visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 2nd from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and Saturday, January 3rd from 12:00 to 4:00pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Gateways Autism Center in Nashua NH. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com