Brenda Tilson Canada

Brenda was born May 9, 1943, to Roy Douglas Tilson and Madaleine (Pat) Lookabill Tilson, both deceased. She was raised in Newport News, VA, and graduated from Warwick High School in 1961. The following year she married her high school sweetheart, William Edward (Eddie) Canada, Jr. They were together until his death in 1996 and raised two devoted children, Mark and Holly.

Brenda had a long and successful career managing several stores for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, where she was loved and honored by many dear friends and colleagues. Her years of service also afforded her family the opportunity to live in the George Jackson House on York Street. She relished life in the historic area, whether it was walking her dogs down Duke of Gloucester Street, decorating her door during the Christmas season, or listening to the Fife and Drum Corps from her office window. Her family later moved to Windsor Forest, where she met her dear friends Anca and Peter Kneisel and Nancy and Bob Archibald. Together they shared many outings, meals, and even vacations until she retired to assisted living to be near her son in Richmond.

She loved trips to the Outer Banks, singing along to Motown classics, hosting large family gatherings during holidays, sunbathing at the Williamsburg Inn and Windsor Forest pools, cuddling with the dogs on her enormous sofa, buying extravagant gifts for her grandchildren that she knew would vex their parents, and all things Tom Brady.

Brenda is survived by her loving sisters Susan (Hank) and Bonnie (David) of Raleigh NC; her two children, Mark Canada (Lynn) of Richmond and Holly Barlow (Jamey) of Charlotte, N.C.; four grandchildren, Ross Canada of Charlottesville, VA, Parker Canada of Arlington, VA, and Kieran and Delaney Barlow of Charlotte, NC; nieces Emily Ranii of Cambridge, MA, and Joy Campbell (James) of Windsor Mill, MD, as well as many beloved cousins, a grand nephew, and grandnieces.

A memorial celebration of Brenda’s life will be held in the spring. Donations may be made in her memory to the Heritage Humane Society of Williamsburg (https://heritagehumane.org/) or the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).