Brenda was born in Montreal and began attending French school in St-Jovite at age 6. She graduated high school from Polyvalente Pierrefonds in 1974. Her family moved a few times until her father purchased his first newly-built house in Pierrefonds, Quebec. Afterwards, she lived on her own in Toronto, then Montreal, Pierrefonds, NDG, Plateau Mont Royal and Lachine. Her bilingualism and love of learning gave her many opportunities;, working in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Brenda would often fondly recall her young adult life in the Montreal area, working in a variety of jobs during the 70s, 80s and 90s: at RBC and CIBC, GE Capital Car Leasing, Drummond McCall, Hertz Rent a Car, Telephone Answering Service (TAS), Laurentide Auctions, Suzy Shier, and many more. 

In 1997 Brenda moved to Vancouver for a couple of years in search of new adventures. There, she began a career in the federal public service that eventually brought her back East, to Ottawa, in the 2000s. This move was good for her as it brought her closer to her parents, George and Virginia, during their later years. Brenda was a constant, loving and supportive daughter to her parents during those years. She was by George’s side when he passed in 2009 and provided years of devoted care to ensure Virginia had a high quality of life until she passed in May 2025, at 103. Moving to Ottawa also provided her with opportunities to buy and sell three condos, a couple in Ottawa and one in Aylmer — very good investments.

After moving from Vancouver to Ottawa in 2000, Brenda’s creative side found an outlet in jewelry making, an interest she pursued with great detail and craftsmanship. Many friends and acquaintances were lucky enough to acquire some of her one-of-a-kind, original and beautifully made creations, made of silver and semi-precious stones. Some of her creations were displayed at the St Lawrence College Art show, in Brockville, ON, in 2009.

Brenda loved to travel. She particularly enjoyed her trip to Italy in 2003, which included visits to Florence and Rimini. It was the start of a desire to travel whenever possible. The memory of this visit stayed with her, in part because of her love of art and all things beautiful, but also because of the country’s connection to her Italian heritage on her mother’s side.

Enjoying all that life had to offer, Brenda developed a group of friends that she continued to keep in touch with throughout the decades. She had many travel adventures around the world as well, and in doing so made new friends, with whom she visited and travelled. Over the last decade and a half, she toured the U.K., and met up with US friends in Copenhagen. She cruised the Caribbean, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, and Acapulco. She made three trips to Las Vegas, Curacao, and to Portugal and Paris in 2018. She went to a number of other destinations to visit with her great American friends in Ohio, Colorado Springs, Mexico and Florida. Brenda loved warm weather, especially in winter, to escape the cold, and enjoyed visiting sunny destinations. The U.K. holds a special place in her heart; that’s where her dad, George, was born and raised, and where Brenda still has cousins.

New York was one of her favourite places to visit, for the theatre shows, shopping and US open tennis tournaments. Each visit would include a couple of plays, or MoMA, the Met, & lots of walking, Central Park, eating good food, getting a new hairdo, and doing a little shopping. Tennis was her favourite sport — a passion she shared with Virginia. Brenda attended the Roger’s cup and National Bank Open a number of times, in Toronto and Montreal. 

After retiring from the government in 2016, Brenda continued to keep very busy, not only with her travels and hobbies, but also by taking new jobs, both with the government and other employers throughout the Ottawa-Gatineau area. She also kept active in various social events, where she continued to meet new friends. Brenda will be fondly remembered by friends from all over Canada and the U.S. for her humour, her kindness and her great sense of adventure. She always had an interest in learning new things and getting to know new people.

 Most of all, we will always remember her fiercely independent spirit.

Her independent spirit turned to real estate, which covered many objectives, especially having residences closer to her parents. She independently bought and sold three lovely condos, the last being in Aylmer/Gatineau. Upon selling the last condo, she rented a place close to where her mother grew up in Ottawa while she continued to nurture her amazing Mom through her journey of leaving this world.

 Virginia’s final days came just as Brenda herself wondered what was happening with her own health. 

After one year of struggles trying to find out what was causing muscle weakness, balance issues, dysarthria — and frustration with the lack of comprehension by the medical profession (some professionals dismissed her symptoms and saying "you’re fine, get rid of your walker”, she was sadly diagnosed with sporadic ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) disease in October 2025. The search for a diagnosis took one year from her initial fall in September 2024. 

As one can imagine, this was devastating news for someone so well prepared to live a free & adventurous life for the next few decades. As always, she stepped up to the plate and batted 100, decided to live at home with the help of PSW’s she herself employed from MLC Healthcare and those provided by the Gov’t Ontario At Home Health (Bayshore Home Care Solutions). Her grief counsellor suggested she celebrate her 70th birthday over Zoom, which she enjoyed tremendously with her diverse group of friends from across the continent.

There have been many days of emotions from tears to laughter during the last few months. She bravely decided to avail herself of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), which is now available to Canadians with a fatal illness. Brenda continued to live with daily losses and brave determination to go with dignity and independence. She is loved and admired by many. 

Donations to ALS research, or to plant a tree are appreciated. Brenda would like to thank her good friend David of 23 years, Lisa, Jo Ann, Len & Laura, Cat (Anne), Sherry, and Jill for being kind and supportive in her last days. A special thank you to her Personal Support Workers, Estela (Bayshore) and Joy (MLC Healthcare) for providing good care, empathy, compassion and comedic relief, when it was so greatly needed.