Age 73, passed away October 23, 2026, surrounded by her family at Lakeridge Health Oshawa after an aggressive return of stage IV lung cancer.
Born in Peterborough, Ontario, she was the eldest child of Clifford and Ethel Neil. She spent her childhood in Paudash and later in Oshawa.
Brenda Lynn Kingsley was a fiercely loving mother to her daughters Desiree Wheeler (Benjamin) and Heather Bradley (Paul). Brenda’s love for her girls was only surpassed by her love for her grandbabies: Hailey, Maddie, Gideon & Kenton. She is survived by her devoted sister Debra Neil. She is preceded in death by her younger brother Clifford Neil (and wife Darlene) and her parents. She had many beloved pets over the years and was able to say goodbye to her pup Rufus before she passed.
Brenda loved to see new places, and this led her to make a home as far west as British Columbia for a time. She later travelled to California, Arizona, Mexico, Florida, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. More locally, she loved to spend time with family at the cottage in Bancroft and summers at her trailer in Fenelon Falls. Some of her favourite memories included spending time at her trailer with her granddaughters.
She loved games of all kinds like Euchre, Monopoly, and Scrabble. At one time, she owned every video game console that was made through the 90s. Once the early 2000’s arrived, she spent many hours making friends and building fantasy worlds through various online games. Brenda was very creative and enjoyed painting folk art, birdhouses, watercolours, ceramics, and making custom greeting cards. Her green thumb was evident when you saw her many planters and gardens at the trailer as well as on her apartment balcony. She always turned each space into something that was beautiful and relaxing. Although every holiday was made special with her planning and festive spirit, Halloween was extra busy as she handmade costumes for her girls and herself and later her granddaughters.
Each day that passes is a new milestone for her family and friends who will always hold her in their hearts.
Brenda’s ashes will be scattered in the spring of 2027 at O’Hara Cemetery in Madoc, Ontario. Please reach out to her daughters if you wish to attend.
