March 28, 1951 – March 10, 2025.
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing on Monday March 10 of our beloved wife, mother, grannie, aunt and friend, after a brief battle with cancer. Her sons and husband were with her as she passed peacefully. Also present was Father Chris Dunn who provided invaluable emotional and spiritual support. In navigating the challenges of the past few months, Brenda never lost her smile, grace, humour or politeness.
Beloved wife of her lifelong sweetheart Raimo. Cherished daughter of Graydon (1924-2022) and Shirley (nee McBurnie) Sharpe. Loving Sister to Boyde (Janet), Barb (late Evald) and Bev (Paul). Brenda was well liked and respected by her parents-in-law Else (late) and Valtteri (late) Kallio, and Raimo's siblings John (Juhani) and Rita. Juhani's wife was the 'other' Brenda Joyce Kallio in the family, and the two shared a special kinship. She was adored by her nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.
World Class Mother to Aaron (Jennifer), Kari (Kristy) and Mark. Devoted and adoring grannie to Olivia, Ava, Hayden and Jesse Kallio. Brenda was truly at her most joyful when spending time with her grandchildren and participating in their milestones and cheering on their hockey games. She prided herself on being the kindest, most fun loving and adoring grannie she could possibly be. Her love for her grandkids continues to live on and she will be greatly missed.
Brenda was born in 1951 in Sault Ste. Marie where she spent her summers with her three siblings at Upper Island Lake at the family cottage. She cherished her childhood memories of Island Lake throughout the years and was grateful that her children, grandchildren and extended family could create decades of memories together at that very same lake.
She met her lifelong sweetheart Raimo in the Sault in 1969 and they were married in 1971. Together they spent two years in Waterloo where Raimo was attending University and had their first son Aaron in 1972. Brenda worked for the City of Kitchener. They moved to Ottawa in 1973, a City that Brenda instantly fell in love with and where she and Raimo raised their three children.
When the young family settled in Ottawa, her relatives in her great grandfather Rolland Rous clan helped them settle and become comfortable in a new city. There were many fun parties, family reunions and card games of “Lucy.”
Brenda enjoyed a long and fulfilling career at the City of Nepean and later City of Ottawa. At the end of her career, she was a manager in information management. She met many lifelong friends at friends at work with whom she remained in close contact with, sharing laughs and reminiscing about the years of hard work, and social event, many of which Brenda was instrumental in planning and participating in.
Brenda's zest for life and travel allowed her to explore new frontiers after her retirement in 2008.. She was passionate about keeping those memories alive and coveted her trip pictures and tales of adventure with her family across Europe and the world. She loved to share new insights on countries she and Raimo visited, and the many laughs and stories of friendship on those infamous Stortini group trips.
Brenda loved her “workout crew”, which had her stay fit long into her 70’s, making many new friendships that she cherished to the very end. Brenda was also a golf shark who routinely outshined her husband and sons. However, she always said she didn’t care about the score as long as she was out with her family.
Brenda had a longstanding and special relationship with Florida, spending time with her own parents and children in the warm sun across the years. She especially loved watching the amazing Florida Sunsets with her family and friends while walking the beautiful beaches. Her spirit will continue to live on in every sunrise and sunset, in the gentle waves and in the white sands that gave her so much joy throughout the years.
Brenda will be forever remembered by her infectious smile, bubbly personality, humour, warm heart and desire to help others. You will never meet a kinder heart on this planet. Brenda was a special person and a tribute to humanity. We will love you forever Mom. May you Rest in Peace. May memories of her live long in your hearts.
Cremation has been performed. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Kelly Funeral Home, Barrhaven Chapel, 3000 Woodroffe Avenue, Nepean, Ontario, K2J 4G3, (613) 823-4747. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Ontartio Finnish Resthome Foundation in the Sault, the Ottawa Hospital Foundation or the Bruyère Health Foundation.
A celebration of life will be held later in the summer in Sault Ste. Marie.
For those unable to join us in person on April 4th, you are welcome to register for the Livestream via the following link: https://my.forever.link/register/arbormemorial-kelly-barrhaven/brenda-kallio