Brenda Burns (née Byers)

It is with profound sadness that the family of Brenda Irene Burns (née Byers) of

Ottawa announces her passing on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

Born in Winchester, Ontario, on May 23, 1949, Brenda was the second of five

children. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Wilmer Mason Byers and

Catherine Irene Blair, and her sister Noreen Byers. She is survived by her

siblings Jim (Fran), Eleanor (Robert) and Bill (Brenda); her three children,

Jennifer (Trevor), Ian (Kate) and Matt (Karen); and her seven grandchildren, Lily,

Thomas, Fiona, Naomi, Brooke, Henry and Anna. Brenda was incredibly proud

of her family and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Brenda grew up in Winchester and later attended Queen’s University in

Kingston, where she studied physiotherapy. She went on to build a career as a

physiotherapist in Ottawa, a profession well suited to her caring nature and

desire to help others.

For more than 40 years, Brenda made her home in Ottawa’s Manor Park

neighbourhood, where she built a strong and lasting community. Her home was

always a welcoming place for neighbours, friends, her children and their friends.

She had a wonderful ability to bring people together. Her door was always open.

Family and friendship were at the heart of Brenda’s life. She treasured the

relationships she built over the years and remained close to her extended family

and many nieces and nephews. Brenda also shared a very special bond with

Debbie O’Reilly, whom she cared for deeply and who became an important and

much loved part of the Burns family. Family reunions were especially important

to her, and she cherished any opportunity to gather the people she loved

together.

Brenda will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humour and down-to-earth

nature. She found joy in simple things: time with family and friends,

good conversation, meeting new people and, most of all, laughter. She was a

great listener, fiercely independent and always there when you needed her, day

or night.

The strength of the friendships Brenda built throughout her life was especially

evident over the last few years when she was surrounded by incredible love and

support. A very special thank you to Joanne Tomasi, Nancy Callaghan and

Sacha Godin for their kindness and devotion.

A celebration of Brenda’s life will be held at Beechwood Cemetery, 280

Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Thursday, September 3. Visitation will take

place from 2:00pm to 4:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 4:00 p.m. with

a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Brenda’s memory may be made to Shepherds of

Good Hope through their online Ways to Give page: sghottawa.com/waystogive