On March 23, 2022, the indomitable Brenda Powell Bruce decided she was done organizing us all and let go of this life.
Her husband Len will be literally lost without her. Even after dementia robbed them both of their vitality and bearings, she went on directing their lives and he, in his gentle, loving way, obliged, always a little in awe, like all of us, of her commanding spirit.
Her children and their spouses — Clint and Georgina, Fraser and Stacy, Kerry and Greg — are doing their best to live out and pass on Brenda’s legacy of love, support, sarcasm and passion for big, beautiful meals prepared and shared with friends and family, including her grandchildren Erin (Christian), Joshua (Taylor), Haven, Lexy, Toryn, Rowan, Patrick, Luka, Micah and Arabella.
Brenda leaves her brother Vic (Linda) Bruce, Vic’s daughters’ Jacklyn, Joana, and their mother, Patricia. She also leaves her sister, Cheryl (Rod) Letendre and their daughters Amber (Patrick), Riley (son Wyatt), Christin and Kelsey. All like to imagine Brenda is now with their parents (grandparents), Stuart and Thora Bruce, and brother Ronn.
Besides worrying, Brenda loved to put her energy into quilting, needlework, gardening and baking. She especially cherished her friendships with her University of Alberta Jan. ‘64 nursing classmates and UAH co-workers.
In the mid ‘90s Brenda and Len returned to the Bruce family farm (Sunrise Farms), magically transforming her childhood home and gardens. After Brenda’s diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s disease, she and Len returned to Edmonton to join her children and grandchildren.
Brenda’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday April 23, 2022 at 1 pm at Riverside Golf Course in Edmonton.
In the Spring, Brenda will return to rest at the “little white Church”, St. Columba, near her childhood prairie home. Messages are welcome at vbruce@sasktel.net
