Ms. Brenda Lauk

My sister, Brenda Lauk, a beautiful, strong, proud, and independent young woman, passed away on Saturday November 27. She was 47 years old.

She was the youngest of four children and she exuded for her brother and two sisters freedom and fun, always looking up, smiling. The youngest child can light up a family making the old and familiar new and delightful again, seen through their new eyes. Yet the youngest sometimes has to develop, in a kind of solitude, personal strength and independence. In our family Brenda remained a constant and generous life force.

Brenda’s personality was bright and merry; she approached life with fortitude, and a belief in justice in the everyday sense. Good manners and politeness were important to her, respect and cheerfulness towards others, and for those close, love, understanding and forgiveness. Her friends were funny, hard working, clear thinking and loyal.

She had a born Vancouverite’s sharpness around town about her travels, a quick, native intelligence about this city that someone who lives here, but isn’t from here, may not have.

She was born into Kerrisdale and lived on Capitol Hill in North Burnaby, in the Highlands and Lower Lonsdale in North Van and in the West End but she lived most of her adult life in Kitsilano, below Fourth. Like many Kits people she was a dog lover. She loved all dogs. Her own, CJ, a handsome Akita Labrador, was rescued from an abused dog shelter. CJ was mistreated from a young age but living with Brenda returned him to his true nature; guileless, gentle, friendly to all, curious and fun loving. They remained faithful and devoted friends.

In her working life Brenda sought out friendship and camaraderie. Amongst other jobs she had a sales career in local radio and while she loved the good humour and buzzing energy of that industry it was when she went to work at the St Paul’s Hospital Sinus Clinic that she really thrived in a working environment. She felt strongly that the rules, regulations and petty bureaucracy of the administrative suits were there to be defeated. She worked tirelessly so that doctors and health care workers were free to do their jobs and above all, that the patients who came were cared for and treated with dignity and respect. It was at St Paul’s where Brenda met her fiancé, soul mate and great friend Amin Javer. They worked, lived and travelled together, loved and encouraged each other and changed each other’s lives in everlasting and profound ways.

In the summer of 1973 our family lived in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia right on the banks of Micmac Lake. I was 12 and Brenda was 10 and one day we were out on the deck, the sun shining off the water and into our faces and we were jumping up and down singing the chorus of Sly and the Family Stone’s song Family Affair over and over. I can still see her lovely eyes right up close to mine. We were laughing and singing, it was stupid and fun and funny and it seems just like yesterday. (L.G. Lauk)

Brenda wrote, “I had a wonderful life because of my amazing family and friends and my beloved partner Amin. I leave behind Mum and Dad, my siblings who never left my side; sisters Karen, Anita (Greg), brother Len, my niece Meghan and nephew Owen, my wonderful girlfriends who stayed unbelievably positive and stood beside me through to the end and they were very special to me. Thank you to the wonderful Javer family who made me feel so welcome and loved. I had remarkable doctors and nurses who never gave up on me. I especially want to thank Dr. Saul Pilar and Dr. Terry Phang for never giving up, Dr. Jennifer Telford and Dr. Heather Fay.”

There will be no service upon request. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the SPCA or to the WWF. This would be gratefully appreciated.

Arrangements under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Burnaby, BC.