Brenda Parkinson, a Sooke Councillor who was heavily involved in community organizations and events, passed away on Friday, June 29, after a 3 month battle with brain cancer.
Parkinson was first elected to Council in 2005, then re-elected in 2014 and 2018. In April 2019, she diagnosed with brain cancer, and took some time off for treatment.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait says despite being away, Parkinson was still heavily involved in planning community events like Canada Day and Art in the Park.
Tait says Parkinson had deep ties in the community, and was heavily involved in a lot of local organizations.
"Doing work down with the Legion and the Poppy Fund and veterans, all the way to the fine arts and decorating hydro boxes. A strong champion of beautification, arts and culture. You know so many, First Responders. The list just goes on, I'm sort of compiling a list now because I know that she was involved in a lot of things. She also served as a marriage commissioner for 10 years."
Parkinson even organized a big celebration of life for herself, and Tait says she was fortunate enough to be there.
"She had invited close family and friends, and I was privileged to be there. And then that was sort of her last time with us, or the last time I saw her. Brenda went out with style, surrounded by family and friends, and then we lost her just this past Friday."
Tait says after speaking with the family, she wants to do something more for the late-councillor.
"I will be reaching out to the community to do some form of a memorial, because I know it's important to many, and they would like to pay their respects, and we would like to find some way to properly honour Brenda as well."
She says Parkinson had a lot of love for a lot of people, and wants to thank everyone for their show of support, and anyone with ideas on how to honour the late-councillor can contact her.