Monday, July 1, 2019 ~ SOOKE
by Mary P Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
The tributes have been pouring in across social media about District of Sooke Councillor Brenda Parkinson who passed away on Saturday June 29 at age 63.
She had been battling brain cancer. Only the weekend before, she threw a big bash to celebrate her life with all of her friends. As many people seem shocked at her death so soon after her gala at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort, it’s likely she told almost no one.
Today, July 1 Canada Day, is a fitting occasion for remembering Brenda. She will be acknowledged at the Sooke Canada Day event today at Sooke Flats, and probably every Canada Day going forward.
Brenda had emceed that event for many years, in particular being proud of the pipes and drums as well as introducing the usual range of dignitaries who showed up year after year, including now Premier John Horgan, Randall Garrison MP (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke), Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks, Sooke Mayor Maja Tait, and others.
One of her fellow municipal councillors, Jeff Bateman, says: “My wife Carolyn and I are mourning the loss of dear Brenda Parkinson along with so many in this town. I was so looking forward to learning from and working with this remarkable woman ~ warm, bright, generous, politically savvy and a vital part of Sooke’s heart, soul and style. My sincere condolences to her family and many friends.”
West Shore Voice News editor Mary Brooke has reported on Brenda Parkinson starting back in 2008 in Sooke. She was ‘everywhere’ — with a foot in many camps including the arts, the Legion, and the Horgan crowd. She picked her causes.
Here is our West Shore Voice News editorial that was first published in the June 28-30 weekend edition of West Shore Voice News (visit the PDF edition for more photos, and quotes from Premier John Horgan; Randall Garrison, MP (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke); and Sooke Mayor Maja Tait):
This week the community of Sooke lost District of Sooke Councillor Brenda Parkinson. She died from a small but obviously insistent brain tumor that crept up on her rapidly, after noticing a few symptoms that sent her promptly to seek medical care.
She threw her own high-energy farewell party recently at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort, attended by a wide range of folks including the Premier of BC.
Brenda had served on the District of Sooke Council from 2005 to 2008 (under Mayor Janet Evans) and again 2014 to 2018 (under Maja Tait in her first mayoral term). During the in-between years when she was not on council she maintained active participation, including consistent attendance in the audience at council meetings when Wendal Milne was Mayor.
Parkinson was re-elected in October 2018 with the largest number of votes among her fellow councillors for this 2018-2022 term. On council she seemed to stick up for Sookies in ways that other councillors did not.
She had been an Appointed Marriage Commissioner since 2008, a job she deeply enjoyed, especially when weddings took place outdoors in natural places.
There are many folks in Sooke who will have their own stories to tell about Brenda. The bravado of her helping style sometimes saw her decide what was best, instead of asking what might be most appropropriate, with mixed results. But people knew she cared. She will be officially honoured at the Sooke Canada Day event on Monday July 1, for all the community to hear — quite fitting, as she was one of the lead organizers for the VIP speeches each year at the annual event held at Sooke Flats.
For better or worse, Brenda would stick to her guns on an idea and rally support from an eclectic range of community leaders and supporters.
Premier John Horgan said this weekend that she was unapologetically loud in her presentation of self, but was completely committed to her causes and the community. She was not an ‘orange card holder’ as Horgan put it, but she rarely if ever missed a Horgan constituency summer BBQ or Christmas party, chumming it up with Horgan’s wife Ellie. Horgan told media that he danced with Brenda at her farewell bash — she in a wheelchair — and that he’ll remember that for the rest of his life.
In covering Brenda in the news from 2007 onward, this editor sees her highlights as spearheading Sooke’s involvement in Communities in Bloom, being the inspiration for what is now the Sooke Region Museum’s Sooke Night Market, promoting the arts on many levels in the community (including encouraging other women to explore their artistic talents), being the driving force that produced decorative seasonal lights and banners around town.
Brenda often remarked how she took heed of her father’s approach to politics… saying if you’re not absolutely certain of your commitment to an issue or motion at council, then to hold back on supporting the vote.
She held relatively lavish Christmas parties at her home each December. As you approached there were often deer in the yard as if to greet the guests. After dropping off your donation for BC WildArc in the garage, you could come on inside and trade your shoes for a pair of fuzzy slippers out of the big basket in the front hall. There was wine, and a mix of guests… always the convener, even if the results seemed forced.
Brenda was active at the Sooke Legion. Her father Bob Clark was known as ‘the Colonel’ and her husband Stewart is retired military. Brenda leaves behind her husband (married 40 years) and a wide range of family (including her mother, age 92). friends, and associates throughout the political and arts communities of Greater Victoria.
With a loud laugh and having impacted such a wide range of the community, Brenda Parkinson’s mark on Sooke is indelible.
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