Brenda Hamel Baxley

Brenda Carol Hamel Baxley of Cataumet spent her final days peacefully in her home, surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren. She quietly left this earth in the early morning hours of June 24th, 2021 with her husband by her side. Brenda endured a mostly graceful decline with Alzheimer’s Disease over the last 6 years. She leaves her husband and soulmate of over 50 years, Grover G. Baxley, her children Grover H. (Justyn Ann) Baxley, Laurent H. (Susannah) Baxley, and Martha B. (Oliver) Zuther, as well as 8 grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews. She also leaves her sister Martha (Michael) Fisher, and brothers Robert (Deborah) Hamel and Jason Hamel. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertrand and Barbara Hamel, and her sister Laurette H. (Dennis) Wolz.

Born in Providence, RI on February 17, 1951, Brenda spent her early years living in Ponce, Puerto Rico where she developed her lifelong love of the Spanish language and culture. Her family subsequently moved to Naples, Italy, where she attended high school. Brenda graduated from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst with a degree in Bilingual Education and Spanish. Later, she received a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instructional Spanish, which included periods of study in Venezuela, Spain and Honduras.

Over a career well-balanced with motherhood, Brenda spent a total of 17 years teaching, culminating with teaching AP Spanish at Sandwich High School and being employed by the College Board to grade nationwide AP Spanish exams. She also hosted and participated in the founding of Cape CARES, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides medical relief to the people of Honduras. Brenda spent 23 years volunteering with Cape CARES as a translator during medical missions.

Brenda greatly enjoyed her family and friends, international travel, animals of all shapes and size, tirelessly entertaining her grandchildren, playing tennis with her Cataumet friends, and serving boatloads of her spaghetti to enormous groups of family, friends, strangers, Bourne Braves, exchange students, et al. She was a second mother to many and a role model to all.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday July 7th, at 10 am, St. John's Parish, Pocasset, MA, 326 Shore Rd. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday July 6th from 2-5pm, Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd. Bourne, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send red wine to their family home in Cataumet. We’re kidding – please consider making a donation in Brenda’s name to Cape CARES at http://capecares.info/Donate.aspx.