September 23, 1960 - May 14, 2024
The Smichura and Jerome families are profoundly heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear incredible matriarch Brenda Smichura-Jerome on May 14, 2024 at the original Smichura homestead, north of Teepee Creek Alberta.
Brenda grew up on her family's farm, east of Woking Alberta, with her mother (Mary), father (Walter) and two older sisters, Paulette (Larka) and Marie (Chascha). Brenda loved her life as a child, especially spending time with her dog Sparky. There was always music in the Smichura home - provoking frequent calls from her mother "Come on girls, come dance with me!" One of Brenda's fondest memories as a child was when her father would dance her around the living room with her standing on his feet.
A Virgo, Brenda believed in the scales of Justice and was always the first to call out a wrong. Brenda valued fairness and truth, even as a child. She loved animals and always seemed to make a special connection with them, often trying to save them from their eventual fate as the family meal. Her sense of justice was so strong that she even buried the "strap" out in the field as she felt it was an unfair form of punishment. That strap was never found or replaced.
At age 15 Brenda chose to leave the insulation of her family and run away to Flin Flon Manitoba with the love of her life, Darrell. During their time together, Brenda often confided to Darrell that she wanted to someday become a lawyer. 17 years after their young relationship ended, Brenda and Darrell encountered each other again. It was quickly evident that they needed to be together.
They then restarted their journey together, this time with their daughters Lyndsey and Arielle, which took them across many provinces and all the territories. During this time, Brenda was able to start her educational journey and at age 40 finally achieved her lifelong dream of going to law school.
At 45, Brenda was called to the Yukon and BC Bar and shortly thereafter took on a role of legal advocacy that she never could have imagined.
For the next 10 years she represented Indigenous survivors that had experienced being taken from their families and forced into residential school by the government of Canada. Brenda fulfilled her life's objective of advocating for fairness and truth for those that had been harmed or wronged. Brenda then took this to the next level, opening her own firm with another Yukon lawyer.
In 2018, after not feeling well for an extended period, Brenda was given the unimaginable news that she had incurable cancer.
Brenda strongly believed in the strength of family and was always very protective of her children and grandchildren. She was caring, kind, generous and a beautiful human being. For those that had the opportunity to spend time with Brenda, they know she gave the best and most genuine hugs. Brenda inspired others to be strong, caring and to believe in themselves.
Harkening back to her farming roots, Brenda would often express this truism when it came to her outlook on life "A spade is a spade, it will never be a hoe". She believed in always being true to yourself and not letting others define you. There is no beauty greater than knowing who you are.
A private celebration of life will be held for Brenda May 14, 2025. If you would like to honor Brenda, please consider donating to either:
- BC Cancer foundation to continue their work researching and developing more targeted cancer treatments (www.bccancerfoundation.com)
- The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) at www.irsss.ca