Brenda (McKitrick) Mason -- Memories

Brenda McKitrick Mason, age 49 of Anmore, BC passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at Burnaby General's Palliative Care Unit after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Brenda was the beloved wife of Gary Mason and loving mother to son Matthew Mason. Brenda was born in New Westminster, BC on October 7, 1965 and grew up in North Delta. She was the daughter of Ann and Bruce and the eldest in a family of three sisters. Brenda attended North Delta high school. She worked in a variety of jobs throughout her life but her passion was her most recent business, "A Helping Hand." Brenda started and ran this elder homecare business by herself. Her clients were more than just business relationships; they were her friends. Brenda's thoughtful, compassionate hard-working nature was a perfect fit for her clientele who considered her more of a "daughter" than a hired service.

While Brenda ran this successful business, she never lost sight of her most important priority: being a wonderful mother to her son Matt. Matt loves sports and Brenda attended most of Matt's lacrosse and hockey games. Although the physical aspects of these games sometimes made her nervous, she was always there to cheer on Matt's victories and help him cope with the defeats. Being there for Matt gave Brenda the inspiration to fight so hard against her debilitating disease. He was, and is, her proudest accomplishment.

Brenda will forever be remembered as a loyal, compassionate, fun- loving woman with a wonderful sense of humor. She loved animals (especially her German Shepard Ruckus), reading, walking, and simply spending time with friends and family. She will be incredibly missed. Besides her husband and son, Brenda leaves behind her mother and father Ann and Bruce McKitrick, sisters JoAnne Honing (Robert) and Sheila Crowhurst (Russ Robson), stepson Brandon Green, nieces Kendra Crowhurst and Nikole Honing, nephew Cody Crowhurst and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

The family would like to thank the staff and doctors at the Fraser Valley Cancer Clinic and the Palliative Care team at Burnaby General Hospital. Thank you also to Stacy Purewal for her care and assistance and Nathan from Bayshore. In addition, the family would like to acknowledge doctors Eddy, Germain, Dubland and Ervine for their incredible dedication and care. These people were a wonderfully supportive team of professionals who enabled Brenda to keep fighting her disease with strength and determination.

Published in the Vancouver Sun on Dec. 15, 2014

Brenda McKitrick -- 1983