SWANSON, Brenda

SWANSON BRENDA ESTELLE SWANSON, of Lethbridge, Alberta, passed peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at the age of 63 years.
Born on August 19, 1959 to Roy and M. Anita Swanson, Brenda is survived by her brother Paul (Lenny) Swanson; sister-in-law Lynn Swanson and their daughters, Stephanie and Lauren; her brother Ted (Kim) Swanson and their sons, Bryce and Ryan; her brother David Swanson and his kids: Tera (Remy), Alexander (Tia), Kerstin, Nikolas (Janise) and Gabrielle; her sister Rebecca (Kyle) Swanson; and her brother-in-law Dan (Judy) Rempel and Dan and her late sister Barbara’s kids: Curtis (Spenser) Rempel, Kit Rempel and Karmen Rempel. She became a proud great auntie when Alexander and Tia became the parents of Oscar and August.
She was predeceased by her parents Roy and Anita Swanson, and her sister Barbara (Dan) Rempel.
Brenda required additional support in school at a young age, which meant that she split her time between her family home in Milk River, and living with families in Lethbridge during the week so that she could go to school. She was enrolled in programs for students with Special Needs at Allan Watson, Hamilton Jr. High and Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. She then completed a program offered at the Lethbridge Community College. Around this time, the Lethbridge Rehabilitation Society was formed to give people with special needs a place to go and have useful and learning experiences outside the home. The LRS, which later became the Ability Resource Center, was a part of Brenda’s world her whole adult life, right up until the day she passed. She continued to live with caretakers until she was in her 40s, when she moved into her own apartment, and eventually, lived in her own house. She spent her last years in care facilities. For much of her life, she traveled throughout Lethbridge on her own. She knew all the bus routes and the drivers, and they knew her. Unfortunately, the staff at the hospital also got to know her very well, but they always took excellent care of her. There were a multitude of good people who were involved with Brenda throughout her life and enabled her to lead a full life. A huge thanks to all of you.
Brenda loved animals, and volunteered at the Lethbridge Humane Society, the Helen Schuler Nature Centre and music and pet stores. She considered herself an animal advocate. She was an avid bowler, and was well known for her dancing skills. Brenda looked for opportunities to take care of others. She loved her dolls like they were her babies, it was very stressful to her when they’d be misplaced! She loved music, especially the Beatles, but really any popular music from the 60’s and 70’s. She enjoyed going places with her family, eating out, shopping (new is always better!), hockey games and skiing in the winter.
Brenda was a very brave person and she faced her challenges head on and always did her best. She will be missed by all who knew her.
A Celebration of Brenda’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. with Dan Rempel officiating.
Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com