Brenda Jean (Bills) Lee passed away peacefully at home, February 25, 2023 at the age of 69 years. Brenda was a beloved wife, stepmother, grandmother, a daughter, and sister as well as a great friend, neighbor, and valued member of the Vermilion community. Born June 30, 1953, in Calgary, AB, the third child of and Mary Karen Bills, Brenda was raised on the farm, first near Crossfield and later near Marwayne. After completing High School, Brenda studied Home Economics at VAVC, now Vermilion College, transferred to Red Deer College and completed her education at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. While in Edmonton, Brenda worked for Beaver Lumber, 3M Household and Hardware Division and Citation Cabinets. It was in her sales role at Citation, she met and married the love of her life, Ed Lee, on March 4, 1983. Their four decades of love and commitment would carry Ed and Brenda through many adventures, from business ventures at Home-All, to trips to Hawaii that would grow ever longer until they spent several weeks there every year to escape the Alberta winters. In Vermilion, Brenda worked at MaxClaire Boutique and Lakeland College. Brenda’s favorite job was serving with Lloyd Snelgrove then MLA in both Vermilion and the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton. Brenda brought an air of calm and solid professional decorum, and unshakeable integrity. One of the great passions of Brenda’s life was service to others, a passion she fulfilled with the same drive and efficiency she had turned to other tasks in her life. Brenda was a member of the Vermilion Jaycees, where she served on numerous committees and as president from 1985-86. In 2001, Brenda joined the Rotary Club of Vermilion and would remain a member for the rest of her life. Brenda was president of the club for two terms, Assistant District Governor, and a key member, involved in a variety of projects and committees, such as the Canada Flag campaign, Rotary calendars, the fire school committee, the centennial lookout committee, and the annual Rotary garage sale, known throughout the district. On January 17th, 2023, to honor a lifetime of service, our sitting MLA Garth Roswell presented Brenda with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal in recognition of her significant contributions to the province. She was also honored by the federal government with a Platinum Jubilee pin in recognition of the impact of her service to the country. Brenda is survived by Ed Lee, her loving husband of 40 years, Children Shelley (Rollie Thomson) and Warren Lee (Scarlet Desmaris). Grandchildren Colton, Kaiden, and McKenna Thomson. Siblings Linda (Don) Whittaker, Lana (Heraclio Medina) Bills and Jeff (Julie) Bills. Sisters in law Joyce Lee and Elaine Bills, Brothers in law Hugh Lee and Ralph (Jill) Lee as well as countless nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Brenda was predeceased by her Parents William and Mary Karen Bills, Brother Ken Bills, Parents in Law Carl and Nora Lee, Brothers in Law Jack Lee, and Lloyd Lee. The Celebration of Brenda’s Life took place at the Vermilion Regional Center on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Note of Thanks from Brenda’s Family The family of Brenda Lee would like to express our sincere appreciation to all who shared kind words, called, messaged, visited, sent cards, and brought food. We are grateful for the exceptional staff of the Vermilion Health Unit for their kind care and compassion during Brenda’s final days. Our appreciation to Candice Anderson and staff of Reflections Funeral & Cremation Services for their care and guidance in planning Brenda’s Celebration of Life. Our thanks to Rev Anne McGrath for her words of comfort and encouragement at Brenda’s Celebration; Denise Earle, Friend, for sharing about Brenda’s life and Lloyd Snelgrove, longtime Colleague and Friend, for his warm remarks about Brenda. Thank you to Sylvia Hewitt, Family Friend, for the musical prelude of Brenda’s favorite hymns and songs; Kelsey Earle, Honorary Niece, for her vocal presentation, and Brenda’s Nieces and Nephews for singing in Brenda’s honor. Thank you to Charlene Young for catering lunch for family and friends following the service. Our heartfelt thanks to all who have made donations in Brenda’s Honor to the Cross Cancer Institute, Rotary Foundation, and charities of choice. In lieu of thank you cards; the family of Brenda Lee has made a donation to the Cross Cancer Institute.


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