Brenda Jamilosa Thorne

Brenda Jamilosa Thorne was born on September 11, 1955, in a military hospital, V Luna, in Quezon City. She attended the Catholic School, Stella Maris College for 10 years. She attended the University of the Philippines where she attained a Bachelor's degree with a major in Public Health. While in college, Brenda got involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. She came to the United States in 1979, where majority of her immediate family had migrated.

Brenda was married to Tim Thorne from 1985 - 1998.

Brenda is academically inclined, but managed to enjoy life joining ballroom dancing classes and native Filipino dancing.

Brenda lived an amazing life even though it was rather short. She served the community well by being an active member of several organizations.

One of those organizations was the University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association- Houston TX Chapter. She served in various capacities as Secretary and Board Member for many years. Up to the time of her death, she was an active Board Member.

Brenda wore many hats with the UP alumni association. She took minutes of meetings, recruited new members, gathered raffle prizes for parties, participated in fund raising, played usher in big events.

Brenda’s death was sudden. Her memory will always be with us, and her legacy will continue on. Brenda would smile if she were here with us today. She would have some funny stories to tell to make everyone comfortable, and we would for a moment forget our sadness and tribulations. We will miss our fellow alum and friend dearly, but we are so grateful for having known her.

Brenda was a key member of Toastmasters. She contributed a lot to help others and make the Club a successful one.

Brenda liked to dance. She arranged for South Main Speakers to help sponsor a new advanced Toastmasters club, the Dance & Toastmasters Club. She also started another club named Club Health which met at her workplace. She was active in all three clubs. In addition, she was also active in Toastmasters District 56, serving as Area Governor and Division Governor. She achieved the highest level in Toastmasters, receiving a Distinguished Toastmaster about five years ago.

The Distinguished Toastmaster award is the highest which Toastmasters organization bestows. The DTM awardee is recognized as having a superior level of achievement in both communication and leadership.

She served the club well and had held various officer positions, including President. Brenda was a key member of the South Main Speakers Toastmaster, as well.

She was always happy and outgoing and had a cheerful and winning style of leadership.

Brenda has left, but her spirit and impacts still continue. Brenda will be remembered by all of us as a great friend and a member of the toastmaster’s family, and we miss her smiles, her passion, and her dedication.

Brenda vacationed in the Philippines last July 2016, visiting family and friends and doing exciting things parasailing, Banca rowing, island hopping, etc. And no one knew she would be called safely home.

Brenda consistently studied God's word, was in a Bible Study Group at the First Presbyterian Church in Houston. She went to be with the Lord with Bible in hand, opened to Book of Jeremiah.

She worked in various capacities as follows:

Epidemiologist Supervisor, Houston Dept. of Health & Human Services, July 2012 – August 10, 2016 (4 years 2 months)

Epidemiologist Specialist, Houston Dept. of Health & Human Services, 2003 – July 2012 (9 years) ,Team leader for foodborne disease investigations

Health District Representative, Houston Organization of Public Employees, 2009 – 2012 (3 years) , Represent the concerns, issues, views and vote of HOPE members at the Health & Human Services Dept. at Board meetings and vice versa.

Research Consultant, Shell Oil Company, August 1990 – February 1992 (1 year 7 months) ,Research assistant for Deer Park Mortality Study

Laboratory Supervisor, International Trading Company, September 1987 – February 1989 (1 year 6 months) , Supervised the day to day operations of the ham quality control lab.

Brenda was preceded in death by parents Col. Eulalio Q. Jamilosa (ret.) and Mrs. Guillerma Tapia Jamilosa, brothers Camilo Jamilosa, CPA and Eduardo Jamilosa, MD and sister-in-law Giselle Rios Jamilosa, RN. She is survived by Sisters Lina, Evelyn and her husband Neil Runyon, Brothers Willie and his wife Ester, and Dennis Jamilosa. She is survived by nephews Andrew Jamilosa and his wife Aileen, Michael and Ken Jamilosa, Garry Jamilosa and his wife Nat, Jay Gaspar and wife Angel, John Gerald, Eduardo Jamilosa Jr. and his wife Angelina, Joselino Jamilosa, Alvin and his wife Nicole Jamilosa, and Joshua, nieces Marites Jamilosa, Jennifer and her husband Brett Rehnquist, Elizabeth Runyon, Jackie Jamilosa and her husband Joe Valencia, Jordan Jamilosa and her husband Alonso Martinez, Sr., Justine Jamilosa and grandnephews Jared, Caleb, Logan and Tristan Rehnquist, Alonso Martinez, Jr., and Sailor Charlie Runyon and grandnieces Melanie Valencia, Makayla Martinez and Mitzy Runyon.