Brenda Marie Weatherby

Brenda Marie Weatherby was born July 16, 1959 in Chicago. Illinois. She was the first of three children born to John and Lorraine Dunmars. Brenda attended Francis Parkman Elementary School and demonstrated a gift in learning by making a double and graduating a year early. She attended Dunbar Vocational High School and Jones Commercial High School during the time when young ladies wore dresses, skirts, hats, and gloves. Brenda always loved holding babies. When she was a teenager, Mom became pregnant and Brenda was thrilled. She even took it upon herself to approach one of her mother’s friends for help to put together a “surprise” baby shower for a little sister that was born a few weeks later. Brenda was thoughtful and generous in this way. While attending Jones Commercial, Brenda met Earnest L. Weatherby. They married in 1976 and to this union one son was born, Earnest Lee Weatherby Jr., or “Junior”, as he was affectionately called by family. They didn’t quite know what to do with their little bundle of joy that was extremely bright and always looking for a new challenge to master. Together, they nurtured his gift for learning, which resulted in Junior receiving a full academic scholarship to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Brenda’s first job as a teenager was at Swann Drugstore in Hyde Park. She later worked at Loyola University Chicago for many years where she was Executive Administrative Assistant for the many Professors of the Economics Department. In addition to working, and hanging out with her friends, Brenda loved listening to music. On February 7, 2007, Brenda had a stroke while driving which resulted in a very bad car accident and she became a resident at the Alden Princeton Rehab & Health Care Center. The doctors initially said Brenda would only live 6 months, but made it just 4 months short of 12 years! Brenda had a support system of family who loved her and visited faithfully along with the 2nd floor nursing staff at Alden. A special “THANK YOU” to the entire nursing staff, especially “Antoinette” who was there all 11 years assisting with Brenda’s care. Words cannot express how much we appreciate all of you. Brenda passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, October 20, 2018. She was preceded in death by her father, John L. Dunmars and son, Earnest Lee Weatherby Jr. Left to cherish Brenda's memory are her mother, Lorraine Dunmars; brothers, Jeffrey (Ann) Dunmars, John Dunmars Jr., and Jerel Dunmars; sister, Martie (Alan) Rutledge; nephews, Jeffrey Jr. and Joshua; nieces, D’Jana, Victoria, and Brooke; along with a host of other family members and friends.

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Brenda Marie Weatherby

July 16, 1959 - October 20, 2018