Obituary of Brenda Elaine Vermette

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brenda Elaine Vermette (Hunter), of Baldwin Road, in her 76th year. 

 

Brenda was born in Kensington, PEI in 1950, to Stewart and Glenda (Inglis) Hunter. While Stewart worked on the DEW line (defense early warning system) during the Cold War, her family lived in various Quebec villages, including Mont Joli and Ville St. Pierre. The family returned to Kensington in the 1960’s. 

 

After leaving high school, Brenda moved to Toronto, where she lived with her older sister Lyda. 

 

While in Toronto, she also met her future husband, Raymond, and, in 1970, they were married. They welcomed their first child, Raymond Junior, later that year. 

After a few years, they moved to Montreal, where her children Dawn and Robin were born. 

 

By 1978, Brenda was longing to return home, so the family moved to East Prince, where they lived for almost 20 years. It was during this time that they welcomed their next child, Joey. 

 

After Joey was born, she went to night school and completed her GED. And, once all her children were in school, she started volunteering with the PEI Literary Alliance, teaching adults how to read, as she believed in the power of education. 

 

She also volunteered extensively with the SIDS foundation (sudden infant death syndrome) as she tragically lost her first child to this condition. 

 

In 1997, Brenda and Raymond moved to Kings County to live off-grid. It was here that Raymond had built a house, with the help of Brenda’s brother Bob and brother-in-law, Gord, and Brenda had a crash-course in homesteading.  

 

Christmas was her favourite time of year. She would spend many months selecting the perfect presents for everyone, but she was most known for her Christmas baking, including meat pies, Cornish pastries, and several varieties of fudge and fruitcakes. She prepared the perfect Christmas turkey every year. 

 

Brenda also loved both art and travel. She worked at art galleries in Charlottetown and Victoria, PEI, and saved enough money to travel to  Europe, where she visited many countries and brought home many presents. She was selfless. 

 

She spent about a year volunteering at the Humane Society, where she met her dog Penny, who had been rescued from a puppy mill. Penny was her fur-baby until she passed away in 2020. 

 

In more recent years, Brenda had also worked as caregiver for Home Instead. She would talk about her clients and their families. She always attended the funerals of her clients and brought food to their families in times of need. 

 

In a final cruel twist of irony, Brenda was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Her husband Raymond continued to care for and dote on her for many years, both before and after she was admitted to the Gillis Memorial Lodge.      

 

As a family, we wish to thank all those at “The Lodge” who helped to care for and comfort her during this difficult time. Thank you, especially, to Maria, who visited Mom during her final hours. 

 

Left to mourn her are husband, Raymond; daughters Robin (Jamie Venieris) and Dawn (Ernest Murphy); and sons Joey (Mary Langille) and Raymond Junior (Tanya Martin). She is also survived by her sisters Betty Campbell (Arnold, deceased), Linda Hunter, and Lyda Robbins (Gord, deceased), as well as brother Wayne (Hilda). 

 

Brenda was predeceased by her parents, Stewart and Glen (Inglis) Hunter; brothers Donald (Fern), Robert (Susanne Smith), Fred (Wilma, deceased); her first daughter, Brenda Noonan (in infancy); and niece Michelle Knight.  

 

Brenda was a selfless individual and a mother to all who needed comfort. Let her light shine on through all of you. 

 

Resting at the Hillsboro Funeral home. At the family’s request, there will be no visiting hours or funeral service at this time. There will be a Celebration of Life ceremony next spring.  

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online in Brenda’s name to the PEI Humane Society, a cause which was very dear to her heart.