Brenda Edith Ann Smith

Brenda E. A. Smith (nee Campbell) passed away peacefully at Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket, Ontario on January 11, 2024 after a long struggle with breast cancer. Her husband and three children were at her side. Brenda was two days short of her 78th birthday and is survived by Rick, her husband of 54 years, children Shane (Mary Jo), Suzanne (Chris) and Sara (Adam). Nana will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Cooper, Abby, Evangeline, Sierra, Camden, Calum and Liam. She is also survived by her loving sister and brother, Heather and Wesley (Diane).

Brenda grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and attended Halifax West High School before enrolling at Dalhousie University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1966 and a Bachelor of Education in 1967. Brenda played on the varsity basketball and volleyball teams and during her final year she was President of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Brenda taught school in Nova Scotia and Alberta and on a part-time basis in Ontario. She and her family lived in Calgary (Alberta), Jakarta (Indonesia), Aberdeen (Scotland), Halifax (Nova Scotia) and Aurora (Ontario) where she and the family have resided since 1986.

Brenda was an avid bridge player and accomplished golfer. In fact, she once had two holes-in-one in the same round. She also loved to travel and thoroughly enjoyed her winters in Florida and her community of friends there. However, her passion was her children, their spouses and her grandchildren. She followed all of their successes and achievements in great detail. She learned their preferences for muffins and spent hours baking them. Brenda was a great listener, incredibly patient and always put other people’s needs before her own.

The family is planning two events to celebrate her life - one in Aurora in the spring and the second in Nova Scotia in the summer.

Memorial donations may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society (to Breast Cancer Research) or to the Margaret Bahen Hospice (https://www.myhospice.ca/donate/).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com