Brenda Ann Collart

Brenda Ann Collart, aged 58, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of December 23, 2020 due to a tough, yet sudden battle with cancer. She was born December 10, 1962 in Toronto, Ontario to Anna and Alfred Collart.

Brenda loved to collect many things ranging from recipes, music, collectible spoons, and all things in between. She especially loved to create scrapbooks filled with the recipes she collected in hopes that they would one day become useful to her children. Along with her recipes, she passed her love for music onto her children.

Brenda was a devoted, loving mother and grandmother. She had a knack for making every holiday special, notably Christmas. The house was always filled with cheer, even when it felt like things could never look up. She encouraged her children to be who they wanted to be, and pushed them to be the best that they could be. She taught her children the importance of following their hearts, and how to accept people for who they were. She led by example, and even helped her children and others to accept themselves, even when it felt like no one else would.

Brenda kept many people close to her, including her lifelong partner John, and her good friend Amanda whom she shared a profound bond with towards the end of her life. She felt like she could tell Amanda everything, and enjoyed taking long drives with her. She cherished John, as he stuck by her side and helped her raise her four children. He quickly became their father, regardless of any blood relation.

Brenda is survived by her mother, Anna; her four children, Sarah, David, Beverley, and Kai; her son-in-law Matt, daughter-in-law Henni; her three grandchildren Kevin, Roland, and Amelia; her lifelong partner John; her brothers Glenn, Maurice, Roy, and Kim; her sister-in-law Cathie; her nieces Terra and Erelynn, and her nephews Michael and James.

Brenda was never one for following tradition, so her family felt it appropriate to share a few meaningful lines from the last song she requested to listen to on her way to the hospital where she would eventually pass; Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.

“Well, I've been afraid of changing'

'Cause I've built my life around you

But time makes you bolder

Even children get older

And I'm getting older too”

Brenda never wanted to get old, but she wanted to live on in the memories she made with her family and friends. Sharing what she loved with the world is one way to spread the joy she gave to so many people. She touched many people’s hearts, and her family can only hope they can do the same.