Brenda Ann Parker

Brenda Ann (Barker) Parker, age 86, of Surprise, passed away on Sunday, June 1st, 2025, in Sun City West, Arizona. Born to the late William and Anna (Penny) Barker on January 18, 1939, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Brenda was the first of six children. She grew up in the city of Kalamazoo, and in 8th grade, the family moved to Crooked Lake in Texas Township where Brenda attended Mattawan High School in Mattawan, Michigan graduating in 1956. On December 6, 1957, she married Clarence Gilbert (Gil) Parker in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Learning shorthand in high school was an asset to her secretarial repertoire, and Brenda had a successful career as a legal secretary for many years until retirement. Throughout her marriage to Gil, he built remote control airplanes, and, together, they spent much of their free time traveling with the club he belonged to, even buying a Winnebago when their journeys increased. As the years passed, they had three sons-Mike, Dave, and Steve-and the Winnebago came in handy since Brenda enjoyed traveling with Gil and the boys while they raced dune buggies each summer for many years. In Michigan, one of her personal enjoyments was being a member of the Sweet Adelines, a women's chorus group. Later in life, Brenda and Gil retired to Surprise, Arizona where Brenda joined another competitive women's chorus. She enjoyed the camaraderie of these groups and was also the "Queen Mum" of her chapter of the Red Hat Society, a worldwide social organization for women. In addition to these women-centered organizations, Brenda was also a member of The Fraternal Order of Eagles 4534. Throughout her life, Brenda loved traveling and trips included visits to England and China, along with several cruises throughout her retirement. She also enjoyed annual trips back to Michigan where she cherished time spent with family and friends, often trading memories and reminiscing. After the passing of her mother, "Annie" Barker, Brenda became the self-imposed matriarch of the Barker clan and always stayed connected to her family, whether it was through holiday e-cards or annual "snail mail" birthday cards. She had a passion for history and was a strong supporter of unions and promoting the career trades. She was also an avid reader who enjoyed reading all types of genres in physical books as well as digitally on her e-reader. The ever tech-savvy woman, Brenda kept up with her friends and family through her daily Facebook posts, and you could always count on her wry sense of humor to put a smile on your face. Brenda is survived by one son Dave (Wendy) Parker; two siblings, Robert Barker (Tony Veasey) and Jean (Tom) Oatman; one sister-in-law Connie Barker; three grandchildren, Dave, Jr. (Amber) Parker, Ron Parker, Tom Parker; three great grandchildren, Kylie, Mackenzie, Mallory; several cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many other loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gil; sons, Mike and Steve; siblings Bill Barker, Jr., Cheryl (Barker) Christy, and Jim Barker, and sister-in-law, Cheryl Barker. No services are planned at this time.