A Life remembered: Brenda
With heavy hearts, we share the news of our dear mother, Brenda Anne Rutherford (née Stengel), who passed away on April 6th, 2026, at the age of 71. She was a woman of remarkable strength and resilience, living life fully-unwavering, loving, and unforgettable.
She was a caring mother to Kathy Costa (Alan), Jesse Rutherford (Chelsea), and Chris Rutherford (Maureen); a loving grandmother to Nick, Rayne, Tristan, Sidney, Russel, Ethan, Kody, and Zoe; sister to Linda Knuckle (late Gerry), Rebecca Parent (Gary), Randy Stengel (Christine), the late Robert Stengel and Kerry Stengel (Vicky); an amazing aunt and a generous friend to many.
From a young age, she possessed a strong will and quiet determination-she knew herself well and wasn’t afraid to follow her own path. That stubbornness became one of her defining qualities; it reflected her inner strength rather than being harsh. Brenda stood firm in her beliefs, especially when it came to looking after others.
She dedicated her life to helping people-first as a Child and Youth Worker (CYW), then as a respite worker and ultimately through her role with the Children’s Aid Society. It wasn’t just work for her; it was truly a calling. She had immense compassion for children along with an instinctive drive to protect those in need.
Outside of work, Brenda found joy in gardening. She nurtured her plants with the same love and patience she gave to everyone around her. Her garden symbolized more than just a pastime-it reflected her quiet strength and dedication. She took great pride in it and loved hosting family gatherings in her backyard.
However, nothing brought her more joy than being a grandmother. Her eight grandchildren were everything to her; she loved them fiercely without reservation. In her steady way-strong yet tender-she made each one feel special.
Brenda will be remembered for her resilient spirit, kind heart, and the way she chose to live life authentically. Her love shone through in all that she did-in every action taken for others’ well-being-and in all the lives she positively impacted over time.
Her influence endures not only within her family but also among every child she helped along the way-and every cherished memory remains alive like a garden that continues thriving even after she’s gone-in addition to the tree we will plant in honor of her at Dieppe Gardens.
A cremation has occurred; a memorial service is set for Windsor Chapel Central (1700 Tecumseh Rd E) on Sunday, April 12th at 1 PM with lunch following at Riverside Sportsmen Club (10835 Riverside Dr E). You can find a livestream of the memorial service HERE
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