Brenda Maureen Smith (nee Evans)

July 13, 2015 24 Condolences Print Obituary Send Flowers

June 10, 1938 – July 2, 2015
Born in Thunder Bay, ON (Fort William)

Resided with husband Herb and their seven children in many Canadian Provinces west of Quebec.

Brenda Maureen was a Christian, spiritual, warm, intelligent, and caring, while  often a silent person, wife and mother. She was ‘fun loving’, liked nice things - roses, animals, pets, picnics, and fun loving family celebrations.  She had a very challenging life as a child. Many families with children who were born and deprived during the 1930’s and 1940’s, (through “The Dirty 30’s” and W.W. Two), lived in those same conditions, which had many under appreciated lasting implications.

It is with sorrow we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, confidant, sister and friend - at the age of 77 in the Innisfail Health Centre. Her lifelong husband Herbert died in Innisfail just a few years ago, (his identical twin Art preceding him.)

Left to contemplate their family memories are her beloved children, Daniel, (Verena), Germany;
Jeffery (Kathy), Timothy, Darrell, Cindy (Dave), David (Carla), all residing in Alberta, and Debbie, (British Columbia), (and the next two generations) – Maureen’s beloved Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren all of whom gave her much joy.

Brenda has many family members, nieces and nephews and friends residing in many parts of Canada, the United States and Germany.

Brenda was predeceased by her mother Unelma Heinonen/Piili and father James MAURICE Evans in Thunder Bay, Ontario who are buried there. Brenda inherited her ‘Viking’ (Finnish) genes from her Mother’s side, and it is explained it is why many in the family are so tall! (Six feet or more!)

Left to think about Brenda’s life and passing are her sister Sandra (Michael) Kantymir, Thunder Bay, Ontario and Brenda’s younger brother David (June) Evans of New Liskeard, Ontario - and all the children and grandchildren – Brenda’s nieces and nephews of two generations. Brenda also left friends of her childhood to mourn, as well as members of her late husband, (Herb’s) extended family.

The families of Brenda would like to extend our appreciation to the loving care she received in the Innisfail Health Centre, particularly by the Nurses on the Canary Unit; to Chaplain Lavinia West, and to the friends she made who enhanced her life there, particularly Myrna, and Tom, who taught her to expand her horizons in spirituality, friendship, music, and in many creative activities.

Cremation has taken place at Brenda’s request. The family will have her remains placed at a private ceremony at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage the gift of visits to a senior or person in need. The children of Brenda have requested donations to contribute toward the funeral costs. Please contact Brenda’s son Daniel Smith in this regard. Financial contributions would be very much appreciated.

Celebration of Life
2:00PM Monday, July 27 2015
Trinity Funeral Home
10530-116 Street NW Edmonton, AB

  1. I’m sorry for the loss of of your dear loved one, Brenda, and may you be comforted by the God of all comfort, Jehovah, thru his word the holy bible at Psalms 34:18: “Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
    God’s word also says at Isaiah 25:8: “He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces……..”
    God’s word says at Revelation 21:4: “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away.’
    This is what God’s Kingdom, under Jesus Christ rulership, will accomplish in the near future for all those who love righteousness.
    God’s word assures us at Psalms 37:29: “The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.” http://www.jw.org

  2. To family I barely knew, my deepest condolences.

    • Hi
      my name is Debbie one of Brenda children second youngest curiuos to know how we are related?

    • ty for the condolence,on behalf of smith,evans,kantimir family,moms funeral was very toching for us

      • sorry touching

  3. A sincere note of appreciation is extended to former Premier Allison Redford for her wisdom
    and understanding in helping a ‘far flung’ family find accommodation for Brenda’s complex needs in her final senior years. Ms. Redford listened. A letter will be sent to her soon.

    • ty on behalf of the smith,unger,ackland family

  4. Please accept my condolences. I did not have the pleasure of ever meeting Brenda, but her sister Sandra Kantymir has told what a lovely person she was.

    • ty for your condolences, from the Smih,Unger,Ackland,Kantymir,evans family

  5. In quiet contemplation I have seriously thought very hard about (Brenda) Maureen’s life. If she did anything it was not for herself but for others – her children, grandchildren and friends. She was not selfish nor cunning, but she cared for others and knew poverty, real poverty.
    There is a real powerful evil in this world, seen and unseen. It is easy for one to fall prey or victim and into a self defeating lifelong injurious trap.
    I know she would want her adult children to know about prayer and its power. She would want them and her grandchildren to find a place of worship that is meaningful to each of them and to learn to use prayer for daily guidance. She would love to see her smaller grandchildren in a Sunday School to learn the Bible stories and have fun with other children.
    Brenda loved you with all of her heart but experienced her own hard path. She is now eternally beyond one of those unexplored universal ‘traps’, for which I am grateful to God.

  6. Our thoughts and prayers to the family/ I met Brenda and a couple of her children several years ago at Sandra and mikes just once but they how lovely she was Rest in Peace Brendra

  7. Our condolences to the family of Brenda Maureen and to sister Sandra Kantymir and brother David Evans. We’re grateful for the opportunity to know about this wonderful lady’s life, even if post-humously.

  8. I am the daughter of Mike and Sandy Kantymir. It is with great fondness that I think of my Auntie Brenda. I found her warm, funny and very loving. I’ll never forget her (and Uncle Herbie and grandson Christopher) arranging to come and visit me when I was working in Red Deer, AB. She brought a whole picnic basket up and we had a wonderful lunch and visit together. She was sweet and understated. God bless you and keep you in his care. No pain, no worries, just joy. Love, Sherri (and husband Steve)

    • ty u for your lovly condolences STeeve and Sherry,appleton(Kantymir),from the bottom are heart,the smith,unger and ackland family

  9. To my cousins and their families, I send you loving thoughts and healing prayers. Your Mom was a lovely lady who always made us feel welcome in your home and happy to be around her. She was the only other woman I knew who was tall like me and she helped me feel good about myself, which I have always appreciated. I like to think of her and your Dad up there, together again, maybe going to a dance with my Mom and Dad. Love to you all.

  10. Sorry for loss. Shawn (David’s son), wife, LeeAnne, and daughters, Hailey, and Brooke Evans of Kitchener, Ontario.

  11. Sorry for your loss. Shawn (David’s son), wife, LeeAnne, daughters, Hailey, and Brooke Evans.

  12. We would like to share the following condolences with the family and friends of Brenda Maureen who are gathered in Edmonton to celebrate her life on Monday July 27th.
    We received the following condolences by e-mail and by personal contact from long time friends of Brenda Maureen, her brother David (June) Evans and ourselves, her sister Sandra (Evans) and
    Mike Kantymir.
    Mike and Sandra Kantymir live in Thunder Bay, Ontario
    David and June Evans live in New Liskeard, Ontario.

    Mary Burla (Mike’s sister)
    Dick Millen
    Joyce Green
    Frank and Mary Lou Proctor
    Gail and Ken Parker
    Joan and Jake Black
    Elaine MacKenzie
    Gary and Fern Garner
    Harold and Irene Munford
    Jeff Turner
    #######

  13. I remember Aunt Brenda as someone who was kind, thought of others and who cared about her family. To my cousins and their families, my mother– Sandra Kantymir and my uncle –David Evans, I extend condolences and deepest sympathies from myself and my family. With love, Scott Kantymir, Deanna Wilson, Joseph & David Kantymir

  14. MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ALL THE FAMILY OF THE LATE BRENDA SMITH,MY THOUGHTS N PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL AT THIS SAD TIME.GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

  15. In loving memory of a caring sister. She carried her heart on her sleeve.
    Brenda never had much but gave all she had. As the years went by, it’s too bad
    distance hindered brother sister relationship.
    She will be missed, remembered as a great sister.

  16. I am June Kainulainen Mandryk and Brenda’s mother was my mother’s niece. They
    came from Finland to Thunder Bay together, when Elma was 7. After we moved to California
    in 1961 I lost contact with Brenda. But my clearest memories of Brenda are her taking care of the guest book at my wedding. Also babysitting Brenda and Sandra, when they were 5 and 6 and trying to comb Brenda’s curly, curly hair. That might not have been her fondest memory of me. My family and I send our deepest condolences to your family.

  17. Please accept my sincere condolences. I only knew Brenda as a young woman and she remains that way in my memory. She was sensitive and caring.

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