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.
39 Responses
Granddaughter of John and Elaine.
I am sorry for you and your families loss, I only met Brenda once, but she was such a nice, caring person and I’m glad I was given the the chance to spend that time with her. I hope you and your family have found strength and love in this very difficult time.
Love always, Danica.
Brenda was a very special person to us. Strong, brave and very upbeat. She never gave up with her long battle with cancer and she never gave up loving the people around her. We know that she is now in a better place, with no pain. We look forward to seeing her again in the future. May God Bless her and give her the rest that she deserves.
Uncle Stan and Family
It’s with great sadness to hear of the loss of Brenda. I hope you may find peace and strength at this time. You have my deepest sympathies.
With heavy hearts we are very sad to hear of Brenda’s passing. Our hearts and prayers go out to all our family. I will always remember Brenda’s positive attitude towards life, her beautiful smile, and her wonderful hugs! We saw her this October and as she told us about what she was going through she never had one thing to complain about and to me she is a true hero!!! I love you Brenda and will miss you.
Love Sarah, Shaun, Nevaeh, Emmit.
We are so sorry for the loss of a very special niece. Words cannot express our sorrow. Brenda always displayed a positive cheerful attitude. We are fortunate to have spent time with her in October. Brenda will be missed and will be forever in our hearts.
Love you always
Uncle Cary and Auntie Sherry
I am so sad to hear of Brendas passing I was crossing my fingers and praying that she would come out on top again. I went to school with both her and Adam and they made a truly beautiful couple and had two fantastic kids. Brielle is in my daughters class and I will enjoy watching her kids grow up, she was such a wonderful mother to them.
Arthurine, Ken and family.
We are so sorry to hear about Brenda, our love and thoughts are with you all.
I was in shock to hear of Brenda passing…the last time I saw her was in the clinic before I left for a month in Kauai Dec 7th we hugged and cried together…we shared alot in the past few years through her challenge with cancer. She and I shared a birthday in common but we also shared the love of family which came into every session I had with her. Her tears were always of the family she held so close to her heart and the internal knowing she wouldn’t be here long enough to see her children grow. I will miss her deeply. She is an inspiration to be the best I can be, I thank her family for the goodness you are and how much she loved ALL of you. Blessings Lynda McKinney & Staff @ Vital Victoria Naturopathic Clinic.
So very sorry for your loss …Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families in this time of great sorrow.. May the lord watch over you and keep you strong.
I am so very sorry to hear of Brenda’s passing. I worked with her in the pharmacy at Shopper’s Esquimalt from 2003 to about 2007 (when she wasn’t having children). She was always a joy to be around. She had a calming influence, great sense of humour, and a maturity well beyond her years. When my new boss asked if I knew of any good pharmacy technicians, I advised he contact Brenda, letting him know she was the best I had ever worked with–and I’ve worked with many.
To Adam and children, Mom, Dad, and sisters, my heart is with you.
Her friend, Al Thibeault