Brenda Critch

CRITCH Brenda With sadness and deep affection, we announce the passing of Brenda Critch (1959-2020), on May 21st, 2020, in St. John’s, NL. Brenda Critch is predeceased by her parents, Mary and Cecil Critch, her father-in-law Bill Hocquard. She leaves to mourn a vibrant circle of friends who are family and family who are friends: her loving partner of 30 years, Daphne Hocquard; siblings, Fr. Cecil, Yvonne, Fr. Gerard, Pat (Dot), Fr. Frank, Calvin(Patsy), Ellie (Frank) and Wally (Darlene), and their families; her mother-in-law Mrs. Joan Hocquard,, brothers-in-law George and Shane, and their families. Grieving also are many devoted friends throughout Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and the Gaspe’ Peninsula. Brenda grew up in Gaskiers, and at Dunne Memorial High school was a decorated athlete. She took her ‘St. Mary’s Bay values’ with her wherever she went, especially her humour and her legendary hospitality. She was an outstanding creative chef. Her affable nature, love of food and keen political instincts made all aspects of a dinner party with her memorable. Though Brenda received her cancer diagnosis some eight years ago (and underwent multiple surgeries and treatments that most would shy from or buckle under), her story is not one of suffering or loss. Rather, Brenda’s life and death speak to resiliency, abiding love from and for family and friends, and personal courage. Remarkably, Brenda was too busy living- even when faced with the certainty of dying, a stage-four status did not diminish her laughter, her resolve, or her Faith. Entrepreneurial in spirit, Brenda and Daphne co-created and managed multiple businesses including Duck Street Bistro in St. John’s and the Elephant’s Eye Cafe in Halifax; most recently they co-founded the Wine Rack-It, even as Brenda’s health diminished. Special thanks to the medical professionals who, with their compassion and skill, cared for Brenda, especially Dr. Patti Power, Cathy Cahill, Dr. Scott Moffatt, Dr. Michael Bautista, and the medical teams at both the Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre and the Palliative Care Unit at the Miller Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brenda’s memory may be made to the Gathering Place, which is dedicated to feeding the poor of the city. It is a special place which aligns with Brenda’s generous nature in making space for everyone, especially around a dinner table. A Funeral Mass at the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, St. John’s, NL, along with a celebration of Brenda’s life are to be held at a future date once the health protocols for Covid-19 allow for it. Burial will take place at the family plot in St. Mary’s. Hark, now hear the sailors cry Smell the sea and feel the sky Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic -Van Morrison