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BRENDA JOAN FURST
Born: Jan 26, 1950
Date of Passing: Jun 18, 2025
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
BRENDA JOAN FURST
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Brenda Furst on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the age of 75 after a short battle with cancer.
Brenda was born in Winnipeg and spent many of her formative years hitchhiking across Canada. She loved to regale her family with stories about her wild adventures and later made lifelong friends while working at the Millenium Library and Rexall.
Learning was one of her passions, and she returned to the University of Manitoba to finish her degree, studying Ancient History, Mythology, and numerous languages, including German, French, and Latin. Brenda was an avid gardener and accomplished seamstress who read voraciously, and who taught herself to fix or build almost anything.
Brenda was the kindest, most generous person, and the hardest worker you would ever meet. She gave selflessly, never asking for anything in return. Upon her retirement, she was finally able to fulfill her dream of moving outside the city.
Brenda was predeceased by her parents Wilfred and Myrtle Furst, her former husband and good friend James, her heart dog Sara, and numerous family members and friends.
She is survived by her dogs Baby and Bella; children Chris and Maxine (Michael); honorary daughter Michelle (John); siblings Bryan (Wendy), Beverley, and Bruce (Deborah); cousin Autumn (Jim); Etta; Kim; Joan (Ken); grandchildren Raven, Kenya, Shae, Asia and Logan; nieces and nephews Christa, Dustin, Tracy, Ryan, Autumn, Amanda and Tannis; her "Vancouver Partner" Gail; her special friend John; and countless relatives and friends.
The family wishes to thank everyone at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli, Cancer Care Manitoba, and to her Gimli pharmacist, Joseph, for the incredible care they showed throughout. Thank you also to Kathy for being a wonderful friend and support system, and to David and Richard for opening their home to Baby and Bella.
As per Brenda's wishes, she was cremated. In place of a formal service there will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue (Baby); Manitoba All Shepherd Rescue (Bella); or to Cancer Care Manitoba.
You can rest easy now, Mom. We love you so much. I hope you're partying with Sylvia and keeping the wine on ice! Until we see you again.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 28, 2025
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Brenda & Russel were always the ones to beat at being first place in many subjects at school ... I know ... I tried. If my average in Mathematics was 94%, Brenda's would be 96%. Many years later, I met Brenda again when she was working at the Library; we chatted a bit, but didn't really have anything in common. Brenda was always a quiet girl. I'm sure she will be missed. RIP Brenda - Posted by: Esther A Enns (School Friend) on: Jul 01, 2025
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I so sorry to learn of Brenda’s passing. I attended school with her up until Grade 11 when I moved. She never left my mind over the years and I was able to reconnect over Facebook just a few years ago. We exchanged emails and she invited me to come for a visit if I ever got up that way. I’m sorry I missed that chance as she was someone who was and is unforgettable. - Posted by: Marilyn Wiens (Schoolmate) on: Jun 30, 2025
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I was so sorry to hear of Brenda’s passing. She and I left Winnipeg one sunny frosty fall day in September, more than just a few years ago in her small but comfy car. We travelled to Calgary and stayed for a year. We decided it was time to see the East Coast though, and since Brenda had sold her car in Calgary, we decided to “thumb it”! We hitch hiked to Winnipeg, then on to Thunder Bay and on and on to the East Coast. It was our first BIG adventure for the two of us and I smiled when I read a reference to her stories from those travels in your sharing. It was magical in many ways. We eventually hitch hiked back to Winnipeg and returned to work and educating with a different perspective after our travels! Condolences to you all. For sure Brenda will have touched many hearts and will not be forgotten. - Posted by: Linda Dyck (Reimann) (Friend and fellow hitchhiker!) on: Jun 28, 2025
