Saying Good Bye

I've known Brenda for just under 5 years, brought together by Brad and & Todd.

We were faced with the pain of saying good bye to our wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend on Monday February 25, 2014.  She has been unexpectedly taken from us and it crushes our hearts that it happened.  The timing makes it that much more difficult, at 39 we didn't think we would have to be saying good bye.  She should’ve had many more years! We are gripped with a wide range of emotions, the sadness of the loss we will miss her, anger because we are left behind and guilt thinking we could’ve done something, anything to help before it was too late.  I know for me personally as I sat in the room with her Wed night, Thurs morning I thought of all the times we talked and wondered if there was something I could’ve said differently that would’ve helped.

Brenda had a huge heart.  She loved everyone and she loved life but she was burdened by hurts and pain that she didn't know how to let go of.   Even though she appeared carefree and fun, the beautiful life of the party, her heart was often heavy.  Her biggest desire in life was to love and be loved.  To be accepted unconditionally.

She loved her family and friends very much; every time we talked she would tell me how amazing they all were.   She loved so much but struggled was with the feeling unworthy of everyone’s love and feelings of not being accepted.

She managed to conceal the extent of her struggle and how much she really was suffering.  Always a picture of perfection on the outside while inside hurting in silence.

I think if Brenda was able to come to us one last time she would say:

·        I’m sorry for the pain I caused you.

·        I’m sorry I didn't ask you for help.

·        This wasn't the way out.

·        And most of all I love you and miss you already.

Brenda would catch you if you jumped, joke when you laughed, pick you up when she was down, glue you back together when you crumbled, and love you when you loved her.

I wish I had been there to return the favor and catch you before it was too late, love you always, Brenda.  

Brenda Lee Smith

1974-2014

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Brenda Lee smith of Woodstock which occurred on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at the Upper River Valley Hospital, Waterville. Born November 8, 1974 in Halifax, NS she was the daughter of Arthur and Lorna (Lovely) Smith. She was also predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Bantford Smith; biological grandparents, Wilfred and Mary Doucette; 1 uncle, Frank Lovely and cousin, Tyler John Lunn.

Brenda is survived by her life mate, Todd Taylor; 4 children, Jared DeMerchant, Jaime DeMerchant, Adrienne Taylor and Evan Taylor; 3 stepchildren, Nicholas Taylor, Nathan Taylor and Daylon Stitt; her parents, Arthur and Lorna Smith; 1 brother, Kevin Smith (Kristy); maternal grandparents, Neil and Myrna Lovely; paternal grandmother, Pauline Smith; biological parents, Stanley Doucette and Shelley Muise-McNutt; 2 half brothers, Shawn Doucette (Nicole) and Andrew Doucette (Katie) and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and extended family that loved her dearly.

Visitation will be held from L.R. Giberson Funeral Directors, 207 Burnham Rd. Florenceville-Bristol on Sunday, February 23, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A funeral service will be held Monday, February 24, 2014 at 11:00 am from the L.R. Giberson Funeral Chapel. Interment will be in the Gordonsville Community Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations made to the Canadian Mental Health Association would be appreciated. www.gibersonfuneraldirectors.ca 506-392-1115