Candice Dawn Bresnahan

On Friday, September 12, 2025 Candice Dawn Bresnahan, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away at home in Williamsburg, VA surrounded by family at the age of 59 after a courageous 13 month battle with breast cancer.

Candy was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, the daughter of Otis and Thelma Carter. Much of her early life in a military family was spent living around the world including in Okinawa, Japan and Maui and O'ahu, Hawaii. They then settled down in Yorktown, Virginia in 1978. Candy graduated from Tabb High School in 1984.

Candy married her high school sweetheart, Jerome Bresnahan, on July 18, 1992, and built an amazing life in Williamsburg, VA together. They welcomed their daughter, Jessica, in 1995 followed by their son, Andrew, in 1999. In 2016, they gained a son-in-law, Brandon, whom Candy always treated as one of her own. Candy recently became a Nana to her first grandchild, Shenandoah, in June of 2025.

As her kids were growing up, Candy never hesitated to dive headfirst into their passions with them. From coaching little league, to teaching life skills through Girl Scouts, to 4:00am wake up calls for horse shows, Candy was all in. Whenever schools needed a chaperone or an event needed planning, Candy was always the first to volunteer. Her love for her children made them feel like they could accomplish anything.

Candy and Jerome enjoyed many adventures together, most recently being their trip to Vermont in April of 2024 for a total solar eclipse, a once in a lifetime experience together. During much of her free time, Candy could be found with her daughter, Jessica, frequenting local antique shops searching for uranium glass that they both collected, they loved the thrill of a treasure hunt. She shared a love of video games and cinema with her son, Andrew, that they enjoyed together for hours. The whole family enjoyed getting together at breweries, festivals, and fairs as well as other local events.

While Candy only got to love her granddaughter for 12 short weeks, her joy of being a Nana was immeasurable. Shenandoah experienced a lifetime of spoiling in 3 months. From handmade bibs and burp cloths to the warmest cuddles and smiles, she only knew the purest love from her Nana.

Candy, the youngest of three children, was the daughter of a Green Beret Army father. Both facts would explain her competitive nature and take-charge approach to anything she set her mind to.

Whether collecting shark teeth on the beaches of North Carolina, exploring the city of Los Angeles, or soaking up sun in Palm Springs, Candy and her sisters never failed to find time for each other. After losing their mother to cancer in their 20's, Cindy, Tammy, and Candy built lives across the country. They talked often on the phone and never failed to say "I love you" at the end of every call.

Candy dedicated 19 years to serving in the Special Education Department of Williamsburg/James City County Schools, where she cared for students with special needs with patience, love, and an unwavering commitment. She had a unique gift for meeting children where they were, respecting their stage of development, their needs, and their interests, rather than imposing expectations. Because of this her students not only felt seen and understood but truly loved. Her kindness, wisdom, and joy echo through the students she guided and the lives she touched. Her legacy is one of compassion, respect, and love, and she will be remembered with deep gratitude by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Candy was a fierce competitor in just about everything she did. When she discovered the local cornhole league, it became more than just a game and social event; it was a community. The league satisfied her competitive spirit, while also surrounding her with friends who shared her love of the game, good sportsmanship, and camaraderie. She seized every opportunity to join a match, especially when a tournament supported a meaningful cause.

A cause Candy returned to time and time again was Relay for Life, where she captained her local team in honor of her parents, sister, and friends that were impacted by cancer. Candy was a passionate advocate in the fight to one day eradicate this terrible disease.

In more recent years, Candy discovered her joy of sewing, a passion that helped her feel more connected to her late mother who was also an avid seamstress. Candy spent many hours at her sewing machine creating gifts made with love for family and friends.

Candy was preceded in death by her mother Thelma Carter and father Otis Carter.

Candy is survived by her husband Jerome, her daughter Jessica Burns (Brandon) of Smithfield, VA, her son Andrew Bresnahan of Williamsburg, VA, her granddaughter Shenandoah Burns, her sisters Cindy Shrewsbury (James) of Ghent, WV, and Tammy Van Donk (Pete) of Sedona, AZ and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her in-laws, John and Barbara Bresnahan of Yorktown, VA who accepted her as one of their own and held a special place in her heart.

A funeral mass will be held Tuesday Sept. 23, 2025 at 2:00pm at St. Bede Catholic Church, located at 3686 Ironbound Road Williamsburg, VA 23188. A procession and graveside service will immediately follow at Williamsburg Memorial Park, located at 130 King William Dr. Williamsburg, VA 23188.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Candy's name to One Child Center for Autism so that Candy can continue to serve her community through the hearts of those she knew.

https://onechildcenterforautism.org/donate/