It breaks our hearts to announce
the unexpected passing of our mom and wife Brenda Lynn Christal. After over ten
years of bravely battling health issues, she passed peacefully with us by her
side at the Peter Lougheed Hospital in Calgary on Tuesday June 18, 2024. Brenda
was born on April 29, 1965, in Kindersley Saskatchewan to Loreen and Robert
Goddard. The family then moved to Saskatoon where Brenda’s sister Laurie was
born. The family moved back to Kindersley where the girls attended school and
grew up. Brenda met her future husband Lorne at 13 years old when the two were
square dancing. Lorne knew Brenda was the one for him when he first saw her,
and they were together ever since. Brenda and Lorne got married on September 21st
of 1985 in Kindersley with their closest friends and family by their side. Once
they were married, they moved to Brooks while Lorne worked on the oil rigs.
After a few years in Brooks the couple moved to Drumheller where their
daughters Kelsey and Kaylee were born. Brenda stayed home while the girls grew
up and when they went to school she began working at a chiropractor’s office as
an admin assistant. After a few years she got an administration job at Child
and Family Services where she stayed until she could no longer work.
While being dedicated to her job
Brenda also made sure that she was active in her daughter’s lives. Brenda often
volunteered at the girl’s school and accompanied them on field trips. She was a
Sparks, Brownies and Girl Guide Leader and spent many weekends away at camps
with the girls. When the girl’s played sports Brenda was at every game to cheer
them on. She refused to miss any awards night, drama production, dance recital,
etc. that the girls were apart of. They always knew they would see her in the
audience and knew how proud she was of them. She enjoyed many of her own hobbies
over the years such as decorating cakes, Zumba, knitting, cross stitching,
making candy bouquets, and reading. She looked forward to going to Penticton,
British Columbia every year with her family and especially loved getting ice
cream, sun tanning on the beach, floating down the channel, and playing sticks
with the girls. Brenda continued going to Penticton every year, even when her
health was declining. Over the years, the family travelled to many exciting
destinations like Disney Land, Disney World, and Mexico. Brenda and Kelsey also
shared an unforgettable trip to Italy during Kelsey's grade 11 year. The family
also went on countless camping trips around British Columbia, Alberta and
Montana.
Brenda also looked forward to
Christmas’, Easters’, and Thanksgivings at her sister Laurie’s house in
Coleville. She loved being around her family. When Brenda’s health became
challenging her family became closer, spending many weekends at farmers
markets, movies, malls, the zoo, etc. She often said that no matter what her
children would always have a room at her house and Kelsey and Kaylee took that
quiet literally, both moving back home briefly at different times. Brenda’s
greatest gift in her life was her grandchildren Aiden, Rogan, Sydney and
Hudson. She was able to be present at Hudson’s birth and did everything in her
power to make sure he had everything he wanted whether it was a craft, a
sleepover, or an activity like swimming lessons. She did her best to keep in
touch with her older grandchildren, even when they lived hours away.
Brenda lived her life for the
people around her. She was incredibly generous and made sure the people she
loved felt important and taken care of. She was a good listener and was easy to
come to if you needed to feel heard. Brenda wanted to give her children the
world, she was selfless right up until the end. Even though she struggled with
mobility and her breathing, she did everything in her power to be present in
her family’s lives, even if she was in pain. Brenda also volunteered at
Kelsey’s school when she worked in Langdon. She helped with the breakfast
program, made countless decorations and cut endless lamination for Kelsey. One
of our favourite stories that shows Brenda’s compassion and selflessness comes
from Kelsey's first year of teaching. Brenda learned about a student who
struggled with hunger and neglect at home. After hearing about his situation,
Brenda couldn't accept him feeling excluded. Throughout the year, she
anonymously ensured he had a hot lunch with his classmates and participated in
the milk program. This is how we remember our mom and it is just one story of
her generosity.
Brenda will be lovingly
remembered forever by her husband Lorne, her daughters Kelsey (Scott), Kaylee (Sean)
and Christy, her sister’s Laurie and Bobbi, her grandchildren Hudson, Aiden,
Rogan, and Sydney, her Stepmother Marie, her nieces Maegan, Samantha and
Jennifer, her nephew Tanner (Teneal), her Auntie Sharron, her Auntie Vicki, her
Uncle Brad and all her cousins. Upon Brenda's passing, she was reunited with
her parents, Robert and Loreen and her grandparents George and Mary. She will
be missed immeasurably by all who knew her.
