My Grandma, my friend, my fellow adventurer,
I spent much of each summer as a child with Grandma, and I remember blueberry picking, arts and crafts, braving the frigid waters of Lake Huron, and finding new parks to play in.  However, I most remember Grandma’s adventurous spirit - she wanted to see new things, try new things, and meet new people.  I was always surprised by the many ways Grandma broke the conventional mode.  Despite a conservative upbringing and living in a fairly standard neighborhood, Grandma liked to party, find things to celebrate, and push the envelope.  She encouraged living and being brave enough to buck the norms.  Her daughter, April, continues that spirit with her lovely hair, infectious laughs, and outgoing personality.  Grandma could make a run to the Dollar Store and come back with everything needed for whatever party she was helping plan or gifts for the next round of kids she was visiting.  In addition to various family events throughout the years, Grandma was instrumental in planning my wedding while I was living in Germany.  Somehow, I showed up in the midst of the madness (returning from Kosovo to prepare for a deployment to Iraq), and my wedding was expertly decorated and immaculate.  As Mikayla and Linnea got older, Grandma helped us by taking them on road trips and helping us ferry them around the country.  When I told my girls about Grandma’s passing, we cried, but then we remembered some of our favorite Great Grandma Brenda, aka GG Brenda, stories, and those memories couldn’t help but bring us joy and laughter, even in our sorrow.  Here are a few of those fond memories:  Purple, Butterflies, the Van, Dollar Store, Arts and Crafts, Water Balloons, Coca Cola, Taco Bell, Swimming, Animals, No Cell Phone (how did she do that), Monkey Bread (does anyone have that recipe), Back-to-School Shopping, Crazy Sleep Schedules, Road Trips, Gift Giver, Fun, Creative, Yard Sales.

Sending hugs and prayers for April and all of Brenda’s family and friends. We’ve lost a very special member of our family.  Brenda truly loved animals and back in 1982 she helped us get Brandi, our boxer.  The best dog ever. Brenda also gave a lot of love and time to Grani.   Such a wonderful loving and caring person. RIP Brenda. You will be truly missed. ❤️

Brenda was not only my mother-in-law but also my best friend for more than 30 years.  She was one of those who always offered to help.  She was my travel companion including trips to Nevada, California, Mississippi, and Maine to name a few.  In 2011 we took a “trip of a lifetime” Mediterranean cruise starting out in Spain and stopping in many Italian ports.  In 2013 we took a second “trip of a lifetime” cruise to Alaska.  Brenda loved animals and really enjoyed seeing the whales and sled dogs.  In 2018 we took what we could no longer call our “trip of a lifetime” and cruised to Mexico, Honduras and Belize.  And again, in 2019 we took a western Caribbean cruise to Jamaica, Mexico and Belize.
We shared many lunches, casino and bus trips, holidays, musicals and concerts, hanging around the pool and just ordinary friend visits.  We could talk about anything and had many long phone conversations.  We shared our sorrows and heartaches over the years, but we also shared all the good things that we were fortunate enough to enjoy and appreciate.  
Brenda was a caregiver to many, including Jack and her parents. She was a fantastic and devoted mother to April, a grandma to many, a sister and an aunt to many others.  She always had the crepe paper, posterboard, markers, and hats ready to celebrate whatever needed celebrating.  She was the one who filled the water balloons to bring to pool parties.
When I get my garden ready in the spring, I will shed more tears as I display all of the yard art she bought for me over the years.  
She will be dearly missed by me and many others.


My Mama was the BEST mom in  world. She taught me how to love, to give and have fun! She loved me endlessly; she was my world as I was her's. This picture shows an amazing day at Ford Field together.  We will always be on a ROAD TRIP together, no matter where Im at.
Love Always Mama!--A broken hearted Daughter, April

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Brenda Joy McGhie

28 août 1950 – 20 décembre 2021

Harry J Will Funeral Homes

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