Brenda Derkacz (nee Bisson)

It is with great sadness that the family announce that Brenda passed away peacefully on Christmas morning with her loving husband Adam by her side. She is survived by Adam and their 2 children, Brielle and Aleksander, her parents, Teona and Doug, sisters Janet, Linda and Cheryl and grandparents Ken and Arthurine Dampier and Roberta Bisson. She also had many aunts, uncles, nephews and inlaws who loved her and will miss her very much.

Brenda was born in Innisfail, Alberta on February 18,1982. Always smiling and happy, she was curious and wanted to touch and experience all that she could. She was moved around to Shawnigan Lake, Saanichton, Red Deer and Victoria with her family. She attended Marigold elementary school, Colquitz middle school and Spectrum high school. Adam became her high school sweetheart and she learned to express herself through Band, Drama, Choir and Musical theatre. She was a fierce, hard nosed soccer player with the Gorge and was part of the Colquitz girl’s soccer team when they won their first Island Championship.

She took on part time jobs, including paper carrier and pharmacy clerk and eventually becoming a pharmacy technician. After saving her money, she ventured off to Europe with a friend. Brenda was never shy about trying new things and going to new places. Brenda and Adam moved to Edmonton briefly to broaden their horizons. They returned to Victoria and were married in the back yard of her parents’ home with friends and family on July 4, 2003, with a Hawaiian theme. Brenda was radiant (looking a little like Bo Derrick).

Brielle was born the next June and the young family was settled in Victoria. 3 years later, Brenda was pregnant with Aleksander. Before he was born, she had a lump surgically removed from her back. On Boxing Day 2006, she was told that the biopsy of the lump showed cancer. As a child, it was discovered that she had neurofibromisitosis. She had lumps removed from her back periodically since she was 11 years old but all had been benign. After Alek was born, she had months of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments to combat the Sarcoma Cancer.

Brenda was always positive and battled the cancer with the hope of seeing her young family grow. For the next 3 years, she seemed to have tamed the disease. She lived life with gusto and flair and proudly signed up to play soccer again with the “Gorge Force”. Her family life and her health seemed to be going the way that she wanted.

8 months ago, Brenda was suddenly diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She spent months in Vancouver receiving blood transfusions, more chemotherapy and eventually a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant from her sister Linda’s donation. We all loved Brenda and always believed that she would again survive. She was a strong woman and a battler and if anyone could beat cancer back again, it was Brenda.

2 days before Christmas, Brenda was admitted to hospital. On Christmas Eve, the family was summoned to the hospital as her condition continued to deteriorate. She passed away peacefully Christmas morning. Brenda must have been a special person for God to take her on Christmas Day.

A private family service will be held now, with a “Celebration of Life” to be held in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brenda’s young family. You can make out cheques to “Brenda Derkacz” and send to 583 Aquarius Road, Victoria, BC, V9C 4G5. Donations may also be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

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