Brenda Helen McKay went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Monday April 19, 2021. She was 69 years of age and was living in Red Deer, Alberta.

She was preceded by her parents, John and Helen Burrows.

She is survived by her husband, Robert, her sister Jane (Jerry), children: Ryan (Melissa), James (Chelsea), Christine (Tyler), Grandchildren: Cohen, Reaghan, Eden & Logan.

 

Brenda Helen Burrows was born in Edmonton, Alberta on June 13, 1951 – the second of 2 precious daughters to John and Helen Burrows.

 

They resided in Red Deer for a few years then moved back up to Edmonton for 6 years. Work took their family to Sudbury and Vancouver before bringing them back to Edmonton in 1968. Brenda graduated grade 12 from Harry Ainlay High School and then went on to attend the University of Alberta where she received her teaching degree in 1973.

 

Brenda married Robert (Bob) McKay on December 18, 1982. They made their home in Fort McMurray, Alberta where Brenda worked as a teacher and substitute teacher. Her time outside the classroom was spent caring for her husband and 3 children. They remember her as loving, thoughtful, caring, and productive. One particularly fond memory Ryan has is that the pitcher of iced tea in the fridge was always kept full – bottomless iced tea 🙂

 

Brenda loved her family dearly and made every effort to connect with her parents and sister. They were always close, and many dear memories were made over the growing up years of her young family.

 

Brenda was actively involved in church throughout her life. In Fort McMurray they attended the Fellowship Baptist Church and then the Salvation Army Church.

 

In 2000 they moved to Athabasca, Alberta where Brenda again worked as a substitute teacher. They quickly became involved with Athabasca Missionary Church and were quite connected there. She worked for many years as the church librarian and enjoyed finding new books to purchase for the library there. She also became involved with the ladies study group.

 

During these younger years, Brenda and Bob enjoyed camping and would take their 5th wheel trailer to many destinations in the summer – their own trips and many church family camp weekends. It was always a treat to camp with them.

 

Once their children all moved away from home to start their own families, Brenda and Bob made the decision to move closer to family and purchased a home in Lacombe, Alberta. They got involved at Wolf Creek Community Church in Lacombe and were also able to be more involved with their growing family. Brenda loved her grandkids and enjoyed visits with them and always made sure she had the newest and best pictures of them for the walls of her home. She was always proud to show her pictures and to introduce her family to everyone.

 

Most recently, Brenda and Bob made a move into Red Deer to be even closer to family. She enjoyed visits with her kids, grandkids, and sister, as well as friends and neighbours. She quickly got involved at Deer Park Alliance Church and was able to get to know her neighbours in the 55+ community she moved into.

 

Brenda cherished her ladies bible study group in the many churches she was a part of over the years. Most recently she enjoyed her time with the ladies she was meeting with on a weekly basis at Deer Park Alliance.

 

A memorable trip for Brenda and Bob was a special Hawaiian Cruise they took in 2007. It was a vacation they had always wanted to take and they were excited to be able to make it happen and create that lovely memory together.

 

Some memories of Brenda that her kids will cherish are:

• She loved the colour blue – wall hangings, napkins, tablecloths & placemats, towels and oven mitts. She surrounded herself with lots of household blue and always made sure her daughter and daughters-in-law were well stocked with the same!
• Mom loved to listen to Neil Diamond, Josh Groban and a variety of worship music. She also made sure all the kids had a copy of Bony M’s Christmas CD – it was one of her favourites!
• She remembered EVERY date and every date and time was in her calendar.
• The clown pictures… enough said.
• Family was so important: eating as a family, games together, and summer camping.
• Mom’s laugh was always a full body laugh and often sparked laughter from those with her.

 

Brenda loved Jesus and it was evident in the way she lived her life, loved her family, and cared for those around her. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She was a very special lady.

 

We love you mom, and we miss you!

 

Informal Viewing service will be held at Eventide Funeral Home in Red Deer, Alberta on Wednesday May 5, 2021 at 6:00pm.

 

Graveside Memorial Service will be help at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Edmonton, Alberta on Friday May 7, 2021 at 1:00pm

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.

• Date : 2021-04-23
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home