In West Palm Beach, FL. at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL. She was the 3rd child born to D. Roger Harvey and Virginia Dawn Harvey. She grew up with her older siblings, Sister Susan Pierce and Brother Mark Harvey, many Aunts, Uncles and cousins. She attended Palmetto Elementary, Conniston Middle School and Forest Hill High School.
Growing up The Harvey family loved to camp, hunt and fish together as a family, traveling all over the United States to places like Mount Rushmore, The Great Smokey Mountains, Yellowstone National Park and many other places. Brenda reminisced often of her childhood days camping with her family and remembered them fondly. She loved telling the stories of her and her siblings and cousins running around Dreher Park long before it was ever a park. She lived on Summit Blvd in West Palm Beach her entire life until she met and married her husband.
In 1971, She met her future husband, Martin Gene Ricker. She said she knew the moment she met him that he would be the love of her life. They courted each other for over 2 years and ended up marrying each other at Forest Hill Alliance Church in West Palm Beach, FL. on November 9th, 1974 surrounded by their family and friends.
They started their life together and had many adventures before having their first child, daughter Stacey Nicole Ricker on May 26, 1983. On February 1st, 1985 they welcomed their son William Roger Ricker.
Brenda was a loving and devoted wife and mother to her family for 44 years. She loved all animals and often had a house full of cats, dogs and birds. She was an amazing friend and neighbor to everyone that knew her. Brenda was always there to lend a helping hand. She had a heart of gold and a mouth you couldn’t control. Brenda was loved by everyone that knew her. She loved camping anywhere and everywhere, from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground to Peanut Island and many other places. BBQs on Sundays were a family tradition that she loved. Brenda loved Disney and all that went with it, especially the Fort Wilderness Campground. But Tinkerbell was her favorite, her motto being, Good Girl with Bad Habits.
She loved going out on their family boat fishing with her husband and children. Her favorite time of year was Halloween through Christmas and and no one did holidays like Brenda did Holidays. Every Halloween she would dress as a witch and sit on the front porch of her home handing out candy to all the neighborhood kids. Nothing made her happier than sitting on the front porch on Halloween night with her fog machine scaring al the kids in the neighborhood. A lot of people will remember a Christmas Village that took her 2 days to build under her Christmas Tree, she did this every single year. She loved to entertain family and friends for all occasions of life, she was the perfect hostess and had an open door policy. She never wanted anyone to be alone for the holidays.
When their children were little Brenda and Marty started a display of building 14 foot Christmas Tree in their front yard. It was a tradition they kept going for several years. It normally took a whole day to put together with the help of their children as well as their family, friends and neighbors. Each year Brenda wanted the display to be bigger and better than it was the year before. It was definitely a sight to see and she loved putting on the display every year.
On June 18th, 2002 her daughter gave birth to her first granddaughter Arielle Sunshine Moore. Brenda and Marty were so happy to have their first grandchild and Brenda spent every moment she could being a loving grandmother to Arielle. She was the first to call Brenda Nanny, and it has stuck with her ever since she was born. Brenda was extremely proud of Arielle for everything she has accomplished at the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Cadets at such a young age.
On August 1st, 2012 their family was complete when their son and Daughter-in-law gave birth to their 2nd granddaughter Callie Eve Ricker. Callie was her namesake. Callie also shared her Nanny’s love of all things Disney and Tinkerbell. She will miss her Nanny very much.
Brenda is survived by her husband of 44 years Martin (Marty) Gene Ricker, her mother, Virginia Dawn Harvey. Daughter, Stacey Nicole Ricker, Son, William (Billy) Roger Ricker, Daughter-in-law, Ashley Ricker & Future Son-in-law, Corey Blake. And their 2 grandchildren, Arielle Sunshine Moore & Callie Eve Ricker. Her Sister Susan Pierce & Brother Mark Harvey. She is also survived by many Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, friends & neighbors. She loved them all with all of her heart. The love she gave her family and friends will remain in our hearts forever.
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