Brenda was born on January 9, 1915, in Renton, Washington, to Nellie Root North and Thomas B. North. Due to her father's job as a telegraph operator for various railroads across the county, and her mother's job as a pianist for the silent movies, Brenda and her family (which included sister Cora) moved from state to state and eventually settled in Franklin, New York.
As young ladies, Brenda and her sister Cora were given singing lessons and they performed at Gilford Lake Boarding House and other local venues.
On June 27, 1934, Brenda married Elmer C. Baldwin and they resided in Franklin, New York. They were blessed with three children: Robert, Beverly, and Jean Elizabeth (aka Betty Jean). During World War II, Brenda worked as a coil winder at Bendix Aviation in Sidney, New York. In 1946, Brenda, Elmer, and their children moved to Liberty, New York, where Brenda worked at Liberty Loomis Hospital as a practical nurse, then in the mid-1950s, most of the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where Brenda continued to work as a practical nurse at John Lincoln Hospital.
In the mid-1970s, Brenda and Elmer returned to Franklin, New York, and eventually retired there. Elmer Baldwin passed away in February 1990. In October 2009, Brenda moved to Holland Patent, New York, to be closer to her son, Robert.
Brenda is survived by her children Beverly, Betty Jean, and Robert and wife Judy; her seven grandchildren Nora, Debbie, Maddi, Pam, Lynn, Lisa, and Elaine and their families: fourteen wonderful great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, Cora; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Elmer, her sister Cora, her sons-in-law Ned and Alex, three nieces, and two nephews.
Brenda's family would like to thank special friends Gary and Sue Arndt, Sue and Harry Wilson, and the staff at Barton East of St. Luke's MVHS Nursing Facility.
Funeral arrangements were provided by Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home in Franklin, New York, with interment at Ouleout Valley Cemetery.
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