Brenda H. Kowalski

Brenda H. (Horrigan) Kowalski of Weymouth passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 13, 2025.

Born in Long Beach, California, to Navy Commander Clement Vincent ("Daddy") Horrigan, and Vera (Van Loon) Horrigan ("Mother"), Brenda spent her early years on the West Coast before moving east to Massachusetts, where she made her home in Quincy and later in Weymouth.

Brenda was a proud graduate of Archbishop Williams High School and Newton College of the Sacred Heart. She was an active Catholic Club member and devoted Hospice volunteer, extending compassion and care to those in need.

Brenda married the love of her life, Henry "Bud" Kowalski, the day after Christmas, 66 years ago, beginning a partnership filled with humor, devotion, and enduring love.

Devoted mother of David of Fort Myers, Florida, Mark and his wife Rosa of Weymouth, Matthew and his wife Kathy of Weymouth, and Daniel and his wife Kristin of Andover, whose lives she enriched with her strength, wit, and unconditional love. Brenda had a special gift for making everyone feel like family, extending her warmth to her sons' lifelong friends. Beloved sister of Barbara Harkcom of Cumming, Georgia, and the late Navy Lieutenant Vincent Horrigan, Brenda treasured her siblings and often shared warm stories of their childhood adventures and the lives they built. Brenda was also predeceased by her stepmother Helen Dwyer Horrigan. Brenda's legacy lives on through her cherished grandchildren Grace and Emily (daughters of Daniel and Kristin), Matthew (son of Matthew and Kathy Joy), and Alanna (daughter of David)-and her great-grandson, Enzo, beloved son of Alanna. Mrs. Kowalski was a cytotechnologist at Boston City Hospital, where her intellect, precision, and empathy made a lasting impact on colleagues and patients alike. At home, Brenda was a gifted gardener and an early advocate of organic gardening. Her gardens were a source of joy and pride, overflowing with life and color. She spent countless hours tending to her plants, jarring and canning the fruits of her labor, filling her pantry with homemade preserves. Her bean poles were legendary-so tall she needed to use a step ladder on top of a picnic table to pick them-a fitting reflection of her energy and spirit. Brenda was also a talented baker, known for filling her home with the comforting aroma of cookies, breads, and pastries, especially during the holidays or to greet her boys as they came home from school. Her kitchen was a place of warmth, laughter, and love. Brenda's compassion reached far beyond her own family. After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Brenda was deeply moved and inspired to create The Haitian Doll Project, where she gathered a group of talented and caring seamstresses to handcraft over three thousand dolls for children who had lost everything. With characteristic humility and kindness, Brenda said, "I just want every child to have a doll to hold". During her final months, no matter how fatigued or ill she felt, Brenda always smiled and said, "I love you to bits." Those simple words capture the essence of who she was-endlessly loving, gentle, and filled with gratitude. Brenda will be remembered for her humor, grace, and the deep love she gave so freely. Her presence filled every room, her laughter lingered long after she left, and her spirit will forever live on in the gardens she grew, the dolls she created, and the hearts she touched. The Kowalski family is very grateful to the caring staff of the Pope Nursing Home in Weymouth.