Brenda Armstrong

1943 - 2024

Brenda (Ray) Armstrong, 81, of Brookville, PA, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at her home on Barnett Street, surrounded by loving family, after a long illness. Brenda was born on Feb. 18, 1943, the youngest child of the late Wallace and Mary (Delp) Ray of Brookville, PA. Brenda graduated from Brookville High School in 1961. She studied at Allegheny Valley Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated as an RN in 1964. During that time, she met her future husband, Eric Armstrong. After marriage in Dec. of 1964, Brenda worked briefly at the hospital but left to start and raise a family. Later, after relocating to eastern PA, she began work as a visiting nurse in Montgomery County. She later was employed as a school nurse for an institution (KidsPeace) for underprivileged children in Bethlehem, PA, and later head nurse at a psychiatric unit in a Quakertown, PA, hospital. She finished her career as an assistant teacher in a preschool in Palm, PA. Brenda retired in the mid-90s due to failing health. Brenda was an excellent seamstress, making most of her own and her family's clothing, including wedding and prom dresses. She later started quilting, making theme quilts for her children and grandchildren. Brenda was also a prolific basketmaker, making hundreds of unique piecesmany given to family and friends. In recent years, however, her activities were limited to simple sewing projects and reading. In addition to her husband Eric, Brenda is survived by three children, Mary Katherine (Dale) Adam of Quakertown, PA, Thomas (Alice) Armstrong of Durham, NC, and John Armstrong of Brookville, PA; and five grandchildren, Cara Jarvis and Jenna Armstrong of Durham, NC, Julia and Joseph Merlo of Philadelphia, PA, and Annabelle Adam of Quakertown, PA. Brenda was preceded in death by her parents and nine siblings, Anna Belle (Arthur) Johns, Hazel (Carl) Spare, Ruth (Eugene) Moore, Mary Helen (Reed) Jacox, Patricia (Gerald) Mendenhall, Marjorie (Walter) Davis, Wallace James (Miriam) Ray, Charles Richard (Peg) Ray, and Robert Lewis Ray. A celebration of Brenda's life will be held in the near future and announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Brenda's name to the National Fibromyalgia Association, 3857 Birch St., Suite 312, Newport Beach, CA 92660, or the Rebecca M. Arthurs Library, 224 Valley St., Brookville, PA 15825, and would be greatly appreciated by the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Carrier Funeral Home, 2834 Maplevale Road, Brookville, PA 15825. Please visit our website at www.carrierfh.com to find more information or place online condolences.