Brenda Jane Beck

2024. Brenda led a full and happy life surrounded by family and friends, to whom she was a constant

example of unending kindness, strength, and grace.

Brenda was predeceased by her cherished husband Peter, her best friend and love of her life whom she

shared a wonderful 65 years with. As well, her parents George and Bertha Yates; siblings Graham Yates,

Havelock Yates, Freda Smart, Verna Ainsworth, Randolph Yates, and Greta Spilsbury; and

granddaughter Megan Anne. Brenda was a loving mother to her sons Randy (Chrisanna), Ron (Noreen),

and Graham (Donna); a devoted grandmother to Jennifer (Bryan), Alison (Hamish), Claire (Jacob), and

Caroline; and beloved great-grandmother to Cameron, James, Liam, and Megan. Brenda will be missed

by many nieces, nephews, friends, and the whole Amica Bayview Gardens community.

Born and raised in Montreal, Brenda grew up as the youngest of seven children. Brenda greatly enjoyed

travelling by train between Montreal and Port Union, where her family cottaged in the summers. They

spent their time camping on the beach, swimming, singing and dancing around the piano, and greeting

family and friends every Sunday for what was affectionately called ‘Port’. As a teenager, Brenda moved to

Port Union from Montreal, and graduated from Scarborough Collegiate (R. H. King Academy). After she

and Peter married in 1952, they lived in the Don Mills area of Toronto for the rest of their lives.

Brenda travelled extensively with Peter and the family around the world, and spent many winters in

Florida and the Caribbean. Brenda loved the water, enjoying most of her summers by the lake, whether it

be Lake Ontario at Port Union, Stoney Lake, and many others. Brenda always had a song in her heart,

usually one sung by her favourite singer, Frank Sinatra. Like her mother before her, Brenda was a lifelong

fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. She enjoyed cheering and critiquing her team; it has often been said that

Brenda should have had a direct line to the Leaf’s bench. Brenda was constantly curious and loved to

learn, qualities she encouraged in her sons and granddaughters, of whom she was so proud.

Brenda had a gift for finding and building community in all of her neighbourhoods, and she was a pillar to

the Amica Bayview Gardens community throughout these last three years. The Becks would like to

extend their heartfelt thanks to the entire Amica Bayview Gardens family for their friendship and support

of Brenda; as well as the staff at North York General Hospital.

Brenda will be dearly missed by all who knew her and experienced her kindness and wonderful sense of

humour. A private family funeral was held at St Margaret’s Cemetery in West Hill. Brenda and Peter

supported many charities throughout their lives; in lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your

choice.