Brenda J Gainey

Brenda was born August 23, 1953, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Roy and Alice Rathgeber, sister to Diane (Rathgeber) Barton and Alan Rathgeber. Brenda grew up in and outside of St. Louis, where she loved to play in the woods from dawn to dusk, twirled her baton in high school, and spent time in the country at the family farm with cousins and extended family. Brenda worked for TWA (Trans World Airlines) for over 20 years, where she made lifelong friends and spent all of her free time traveling both domestically and internationally. Following her time at TWA, Brenda became an account manager for electronic manufacturers and distributors, where she brought joy to everyone she interacted with and her coworkers and customers became dear friends.

The real joy of Brenda’s life began on January 4, 1978, when she met her husband, Ron Gainey. They both agreed it was love at first sight and were married on November 4 of the same year. Prior to having their children, Brenda and Ron spent their early married years travelling the globe together and with friends, making memories they would talk and laugh about for decades to come. Brenda and Ron welcomed daughters Jordan in 1984, and Landon in 1988. The delight of Brenda’s life were her girls. She devoted her life to motherhood and serving her family. The only life experience as wonderful as becoming a mother, Brenda would say, was becoming a grandmother. Brenda was a tremendously proud Nana to Connor, Caleb, Blair, and Brendan. Since 2013 and the birth of her first grandson, a conversation with Brenda was never complete without tales of her grandchildren’s recent interests or accomplishments. She loved her family with her whole heart, and leaves behind a legacy of love and commitment.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Alice Rathgeber, her sister Diane Barton, and her brother Alan Rathgeber.

Brenda is survived by her devoted husband of 45 years, Ronald E. Gainey, daughter Jordan Khadam-Hir (Steven Khadam-Hir) of Katy, Texas, daughter Landon Kennedy, of Fishers, Indiana, and adoring grandchildren Connor and Caleb Khadam-Hir, and Blair and Brendan Kennedy.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all of the doctors and nurses of MD Anderson Cancer Center for their compassionate care during Brenda's illness.

Brenda will be remembered for her kindness, her unwavering love for her family, and her gentle spirit. Her presence in our lives will be greatly missed.

A memorial service to celebrate Brenda's life will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11am at The Settegast-Kopf Company at Sugar Creek 15015 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land, Texas 77478.