Brenda L. Campbell
April 15, 1948 - December 20, 2018
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Brenda L. Campbell
April 15, 1948 - December 20, 2018
Obituary
Loving wife and mother Brenda (Ward) Campbell peacefully passed away surrounded by family at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham, WA, on December 20th, 2018, from complications due to diabetes.
Brenda was born in Torrance, CA, in 1948 and grew up spending summers on the beach with neighborhood friends. She accepted the Lord into her heart when she was thirteen years old and continued to follow Jesus and to share his Word with others throughout her life. After high school, she worked for the US Department of Defense until her early twenties when she relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, to be close to her parents.
In Salt Lake City, Brenda met a close-knit group of what would become lifelong friends while attending Agape, the “Church in the Park.” There, she worshipped, bonded with roommates in the “Hen House,” and thrived in the intense discipleship training that was the hallmark of Agape. Through her character, wisdom and wit, she eventually grew to become a pillar of the ministry to those she mentored, also serving as the secretary to the pastor.
In 1977, Brenda married her best friend Steve Campbell in Lindsay Gardens Park in Salt Lake City. Together, they had many adventures, one of which took them through Bellingham, WA, on their way to Golden Ears Provincial Park, BC. Charmed by the mountains and sea, they took a great leap of faith and, as Brenda later loved to say, they moved “sight unseen” to Bellingham in 1979. For the next 40 years, the Northwest was their home as they grew their family and built their lives together.
In Bellingham, Brenda once again found a circle of loving, lifelong friends through church. She joined many small groups through the years and continued to share her love of Jesus. She spent time caring for her family, gardening, cooking, baking, loving many family pets, and giving the most thoughtful gifts to all those she loved.
When her daughter, Liz, participated in the high school band, Brenda also participated by helping to found the BHS Band Booster program, surviving many a chaperone trip with the marching band. After working at Western Washington University for years in Accounts Payable, she finally found her professional passion helping Veterans while working in Accounts Receivable at Bellingham Technical College.
She will be remembered by family, friends and coworkers for her laughter, stories, wisdom, strength and keen love of Jesus.
Brenda is survived by her husband Steve Campbell, her beloved daughter Liz Woods, son-in-law Dan Woods, and adored granddaughter Everly Woods. She is preceded in death by her father and mother Sam and Louise Ward, and her brother Marvin Ward.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 27th, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Moles Farewell Tributes in Bellingham, WA (2465 Lakeway Dr.). A reception will follow, and light refreshments will be served. Please bring a favorite memory of Brenda to share.
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: January 27, 2019 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Moles Farewell Tributes - Bellingham
- Location: 2465 Lakeway Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) -73-3-0510
5 responses to Brenda L. Campbell
Rhonda M Porter says:
December 20, 2018
Brenda and I were part of the “Hen House” and then roommates for 2 years until she served as a bridesmaid in my wedding in Salt Lake City, May 1976. She was an example of faithfulness to God in all circumstances, and had the ability to bring light into the darkest spaces. Her life was an early formative influence on mine, and her death impacted me more profoundly that I expected, causing me to reminisce and recognize a lot of her character traits I had not seen when I was young. We continued to be sisters in Christ through all the years and Al &I were pleased to be able to visit her and Steve in 2004. I have attached photos of these occasions. I rejoice that I will see her again in heaven!
Mike and KC Holmes says:
December 20, 2018
With everlasting joy and laughter we will remember Brenda. She loved God, Steve and Liz, animals, children, took joy in our children, and called out “prayer mode” as we bowed our heads in unison so prayer time started with a chuckle. She meant great cooking, a listening ear, Godly counsel, and more laughter. She would come through my back door calling “It’s just me!” when she needed to take a break on her way home from a long day of work. She was honest with her emotions, honest with her friendships and honest with her love. With other new couples to Bellingham, we formed a group that met weekly for a meal, singing, prayer and study that went on for years creating bonds that will never end, enduring past our time on this earth.
We will always love her, always miss her, and look forward with joy to seeing her again.
Jim & Chris Clay says:
December 20, 2018
Dear Steve and Elizabeth:I’m so sorry to hear of Brenda’s passing. I have many memories from when Elizaberh was a baby, and we gathered as moms with our little ones to go to the parks, share our joys of motherhood, and pray as a group of moms about our familys and children…spend times of laughter and sharing life together. Our kids grew up, we moved a couple of times…but, occasionally ran into each other to keep in touch. I do know we’ll be re-uniting in Heaven someday…so, I look forward to that Blessed day!
My sympathies to you and your family. Brenda will be greatly missed!
Corinne Wilmarth says:
December 20, 2018
My dear friend Brenda, your thoughtfulness, generosity, wisdom, faith and your humor will be sorely missed. I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to journey with you, be in each other’s wedding party and share similar dates of our first born daughters. Grace & peace to Steve, Liz and the rest of her loved ones.
Shirley Shirley says:
December 20, 2018
Steve, Liz and family,Went to wish Brenda a Haopy Birthday
On Facebook and was so shocked to find out that she had been so sick and had gone to be with her loving Savior.
I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed getting to know her through the house buying experience. She will be missed by all who knew her.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
Shirley Shirley