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With broken hearts, we announce the sudden and tragic death of Brenda Lynne Fawkes. Brenda died in a motor vehicle accident outside of Dafoe, Saskatchewan while driving home to Vancouver from Winnipeg on Friday, September 20, 2024.
She will forever be remembered with love by her partner of almost 30 years, Nancy Talbot, and their sons Nathan and Joel, all of whom have been devastated by her death. Her mother, Sharon, brother Brent, sister-in-law Heidi, and nephews Eric and Matthew, of whom she was so proud, deeply grieve her loss. She was predeceased by her twin brother, Brian, in May of this year and her father, Jeffrey, in 2021. Her extended family, including her Talbot relatives, as well as Gail Roberts, Joan Ford, and a wide circle of “chosen family” will miss her for years to come. Her faithful companion, Georgia, holds vigil at the front window of her house.
Brenda was born in Winnipeg and attended elementary and secondary schools in the Charleswood area. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Winnipeg. The community of Charleswood United Church is responsible for her early formation in the gospel of social justice and unconditional love. With them, she preached her first sermon and responded to her call to ordained ministry. A proud Winnipegger whose loyalty to the Blue Bombers ran deep (unless the BC Lions took to the field), she never fully left her prairie roots.
In 1992, Brenda moved to Vancouver to complete a Masters of Divinity at the Vancouver School of Theology. It was there she met her life partner, Nancy, and eventually established a home. First Nathan and then Joel were welcomed and nurtured with a love that knew no bounds.
Brenda served the congregation of Wilson Heights United Church in East Vancouver for many years, followed by Dunbar Heights United. She was the Director of Field Education at the Vancouver School of Theology for over eight years. At the time of her death, she was working for the National Church as the Vocational Minister for the Pacific Mountain and Chinook Winds Regions.
The outpouring of sorrow across the entire church from students, friends, and colleagues has been monumental. Of the many tributes that have been expressed, perhaps this one sums up her life in the church the best: “Brenda knew the inner workings of both the human soul and the institutional church like few others. We were blessed that her ministry lived at the intersection of the two.”
Brenda was wise beyond her years, had a wicked sense of humour, and a compassionate heart. She was not always easy to get to know but if you did become her friend, you knew what you had found.
In addition to her family, she was passionate about gardening, curling, hosting family dinners, and Melissa Etheridge, not necessarily in that order.
Her impact on the lives of her family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, students, and congregants will be remembered and cherished.
Rest in peace, dear one, in that place where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing but life everlasting. You have left a breach in the landscape of our lives filled only by the grace of God, the love of those who knew you, and the memories we will treasure.
Donations in memory of Brenda will be gratefully accepted at www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/43314. Please use the drop-down menu to choose the “Brenda Fawkes Student Bursary Fund” to support Theological Students in the regions she served.
A Memorial Service will be held at Mount Seymour United Church, 1200 Parkgate Avenue in North Vancouver on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. PST.
The service be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/live/g8GXt-bv_bc.
A viewing area for the livestream will be hosted at Lynn Valley United Church, 3210 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver.
June 23 1971
September 20 2024
Death notice for the town of: Regina, Province: Saskatchewan
death notice Brenda Lynne Fawkes June 23 1971
September 20 2024
obituaries notice Brenda Lynne Fawkes June 23 1971
September 20 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Brenda Lynne Fawkes June 23 1971
September 20 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.