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BRENDA LYNE ANDRE (nee THIESSEN)
Born: May 28, 1955
Date of Passing: Oct 06, 2022
Offer Condolences or Memory BRENDA LYNE ANDRE
(née THIESSEN)
May 28, 1955 - October 6, 2022
Peacefully and with her daughter Danielle and her husband Maurice (Jake) by her side, at the young age of 67, Brenda lost her fight with cancer the only way she knew how, passing away at the St. Boniface Hospital only a couple of days after returning from an Alaskan cruise with her family and friends.
Left to mourn her passing is Jake her loving husband of 47 years, her daughter Danielle (Errol), grandchildren Jacob and Samuel, brother Reynold (Marcie), nieces Cheryl (Tate), Jerilyn (Rob), Desiree, Adisyn, nephews Kelly, Mathieu (Tara), Alain (Jess) and honorary nieces and nephews Michelle (Ken), Scott, and Jeffrey (Joanne) and many cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Genia Longson and Ed Thiessen, her sister Arlene, and her son Damien.
Brenda had an unwavering faith in God and she is now at peace with the Lord.
Brenda was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 28, 1955. She was the youngest to her sister Arlene and her brother Reynold. Throughout her childhood she would sit by the parlor door listening to her grandfather talk about business and always attributed his influence on her drive to succeed. As a teenager she met the love of her life, Jake. In 1975 they were married and began their family. In 1982, Brenda and Jake established their "Brenda's Catering" food truck business, where nurturing their clientele led to a successful venture. After going on a family vacation to Grand Forks, Brenda fell in love with the food at Perkins and she realized there was an opportunity to grow the franchise in Canada.
Throughout her 20 years with Perkins she opened nine stores and two sports bars in Western Canada, winning a Perkins Chairman's Award in 1998 and a Lifetime Achievement award in 2011. She made two commercials in New York for Perkins which were aired across Canada. She was a board member on the CRFA (Canadian Restaurant and Food Association) for eight years and the MRFA (Manitoba Restaurant and Food Association) for five years. She was on the FAC (Franchisee Advisory Council) for a 2-year term as the only Canadian representative. These achievements were milestones in her life that she was very proud of. Anyone who worked for Brenda was affected by her presence and generosity. She would always make time to cheers a glass of red wine and make new friends everywhere that she went. Even after she retired in 2010 she was still invested in her employees' lives and wellbeing.
Brenda and Jake's cabin on the Lake of the Woods was a place where family and friends would gather to share special memories and moments. She always spoke fondly of her time spent at the cabin fishing, boating and enjoying a fresh caught walleye.
When she wasn't being a bad ass business owner, she enjoyed travelling the world. Whether it was exploring with Jake in Como, Italy, drinking wine with Danielle in Barcelona, out fishing the boys in the Queen Charlotte Islands, or meeting and making lifelong friends aboard the many Royal Caribbean cruises, she was always making great memories. She loved traveling to the Mirage in Las Vegas, where she would beat the odds and come home with a purse full of jackpots. Along with her love of travel, Brenda enjoyed attending concerts. In September she was able to see her favorite band The Eagles up close in the front row.
Anyone who met her, loved her. She made countless amounts of lifelong friends who she cherished and genuinely made a part of her circle.
Brenda had a special bond with her grandchildren Jacob and Samuel. She loved to listen to them splash around in the pool. Their family trips to Puerta Vallarta and Alaska were special moments in her life where she was able to have some uninterrupted time with the boys.
We would like to give a sincere thanks to Kija and Laurie for all your support and to all the staff at palliative care for their compassion and exceptional treatment of Brenda during her time there.
A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery 455 Lagimodiere Blvd.
As space may be limited a live stream will be provided. A link will be available on the Glen Lawn website 24 hours before the service.
"I'm going to die living, not live dying" – Brenda André
"Welcome to the Hotel California, such a lovely place" – The Eagles
Family and friends may sign a book of condolence at www.glenlawn.ca.
Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 15, 2022
Condolences & Memories (19 entries)
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I am saddened to read of Brenda’s passing. I knew Brenda from the time we were young teens, she being friends with my younger sister and I was dating her brother. I moved away in the early 70’s but did manage to get in a couple visits over the years while back in Winnipeg. Even as a teen she had a drive to succeed. I know she will be missed terribly by her family and friends and my deepest condolences go to them. - Posted by: Georgina Patterson (Friend ) on: Nov 22, 2022
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My sincere condolences Jake and Danielle. I have so many amazing memories of adventures and great conversations with Brenda. From Hong Kong to lunches at Rae and Jerry’s …so many life experiences and journeys. I feel very blessed to have met Brenda…she was courageous. Take care and my thoughts are with you and your family. - Posted by: Susan Thompson (Friend) on: Oct 22, 2022
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Dear Jake, Danielle My heart just aches with deep sorrow for your family I couldn’t help but feel that she had some peace knowing she was going to be with Damien. I want you to know that I truly believe there is a higher level of life my wife and I feel in my heart they are together watching down and watching over all of you please feel free to call me. I would love to hear from you and come see you all soon I would love to reminisce there’s lots of good times that we’ve had together our families times that I’ll treasure always I would love to see the grandchildren and Danielle I know this is a great loss as well, and I know we will miss her deeply and dearly please try to keep in touch Life is too short. Love you all and thinking of you a lot Love, Bonnie❤️❤️ - Posted by: Bonnie Legere (Friend) on: Oct 21, 2022
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So sad. Life is so short. I wish Jake and Danielle all the best in this difficult time. - Posted by: Gerald Peterson (Freind) on: Oct 20, 2022
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Dear Jake, Danielle and Family. I am so sorry for the loss of your Wife, Mother and lifelong Friend. Brenda was my favourite cousin, we shared so many special times together while we were growing up & then the Family moved to the North End! We used to say "we are all tougher coming from the north end!" Well I was very excited I had a cousin living so close to me now. At a young age, Brenda had me going on bike rides all over Wpg going over the Arlington bridge we would fly down the bridge full speed and I was thinking to myself... if my Parents knew I was this far away I would be in big trouble! But that was Brenda always mischievous & so much fun! When we were about 12 yrs of age Brenda & I would make Kool-aid and sell it to the workers at the industrial sites in the neighbourhood & we made good money! Brenda's idea of course! Then Brenda said to me a couple years later "Hey Sharon you know how to sew and I know where we can get leather scraps close by" So we went to the dumpster where the scraps were, I would make the leather purses and together we got the kids at school to place orders, again we made good money! Brenda was born a business entrepreneur! She taught me a lot and to this day I believe a part of my personality & business drive came from her. I moved to the west coast at 22, but every time I got together with Brenda over the years it was always exciting & fun to see her & catch up on Life. I am very sad of her passing at such a young age. I will never forget the times we shared and wish I could have spent more time with her in our later years. Brenda will never be forgotten, I will always remember the fun times we shared. I will meet her in Heaven one day & we will continue the journey. My sincere condolences to the Family. Brenda is in a great place with all those she has lost along the way. Keep the memories close to your hearts and let them make you smile! All my LOVE, Cousin Sharon Reimer (Hildebrand). - Posted by: Sharon Reimer (Hildebrand) (Cousin) on: Oct 19, 2022
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Brenda and I met each other while serving on the Perkins Franchise Advisory Counsel. We connected right away and stayed close through our times together at the counsel (mostly because we were the only female franchisees there at the time.)😉 Eventually, we grew close and went on a trip to Greece together along with Danielle and her friend. What a Trip!! And today, I wouldn’t trade it for anything! Many memories! We’ve stayed in contact over the years even though we’ve both retired. I’ll miss her and think of her often, especially after hearing of her passing. Love to you, Jake and Danielle. - Posted by: Geri Shanley (Friend) on: Oct 19, 2022
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Rest in peace my friend. Cruising on Royal Caribbean will never be the same without you. We met only a short time ago but I felt like I knew you forever. - Posted by: JOSEPHINE WECKERLE (Royal Caribbean buddy) on: Oct 18, 2022
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I am shocked to hear she is no longer with us. She was a women I was inspired by. Glad to see she went out in Brenda style. Good on you girl!! - Posted by: Kim Zebiere (Collins Barrow and past employee) on: Oct 18, 2022
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We were curious about the couple who purchased Rhodes old place on Echo Bay. After a few years the Andres moved the original cabin onto the adjacent vacant lot that Brenda bought and then built their big Echo Bay home. We jokingly called it the Pancake Palace because we knew the lady there owned Perkins. One day my adventurous 13 year old daughter visited Brenda and came back saying in hushed tones that "the bathroom fixtures are from Italy!". We finally met at the annual Road Association dinner where Brenda was, in her usual way, larger than life and exuberance. We became friends, Brenda didn't have patience with phony people or social climbers. This miffed a few of the hoity-toity crowd. She would smile and say, "I'm a tough north end B*8ch, don't mess with me". She cooked wonderful meals. She set the land speed record for the 195 kilometer trip from Winnipeg to Echo Bay ( 75 minutes - do the math). Brenda talked about making and selling leather crafts when she was very young with scrap leather from the dumpster behind Victoria leather. She talked about her teenage drapery business and hustling selling lunches at construction sites with her food truck. She was a driven, charming, extremely successful entrepreneur. She had many friends and loved to entertain. Her keen wit taking in everything that was said and engaging with the world. She loved Jake and her family. She loved her friends and lived with a wonderful exuberance and generosity of spirit. She will be missed. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Danielle, Jake, and family. Love endures. - Posted by: John R White (friend and neighbour) on: Oct 17, 2022
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I have to thank Brenda and Danielle for giving me some of the best times of my life working with them. I learned so much about relationships and business and how those two things go hand in hand. Danielle saw in me my ability to be a good server and she helped me be a better one. She also gave me many chances to keep growing when I faulted. Those times at Perkins are very special for me, I met so many people I called friends and I still do. Thank you very much Brenda and Danielle - Posted by: Kori Kowbel (Former employee of Perkins Polo Park) on: Oct 16, 2022
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I’m so sorry to hear of Brenda’s passing. Through forum Brenda and I became close. She was always kind, caring, and generous. My condolences to Jake, Danielle, and her entire family. I remember our wonderful times at the lake together. My whole family is saddened by her passing. Lewis - Posted by: Lewis Rosenberg (Friend ) on: Oct 15, 2022
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My Dearest friend Brenda, As I write this the tears roll down my cheeks. Not just for the sadness, but for the beautiful memories ✨️ I will forever cherish. I have way too many stories to share on here. Maybe someday with your family I will. Thank you for being a true friend & confidant as I was for you, I will miss that everlasting smile, laugh, sense of humor, your tanasty for Life. The openings of your Perkins & our cruise in 2018 will forever be the best, loving, crazy good times memories. God speed Brenda 🙏 🙌 ✨️ 😇💔❤💞we all gained the The Most Beautiful, kind compassionate Angel we could ask for. You're now reunited with Damien and especially your Mum who mourned for. Jake & Danielle, my thoughts, love, compassion go out to you both ❤️ and your beautiful loving Family. The family Brenda cherished more than you may ever know. What a Beautiful tribute to your Wife & Mum... God Bless 🙌 🙏 ❤️ you all... you've always got a friend in me. Love ❤️ Annette M Haberman Big Lake Minnesota - Posted by: Annette Haberman (Long time life friend ) on: Oct 15, 2022
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My Dearest friend Brenda, As I write this the tears roll down my cheeks. Not just for the sadness, but for the beautiful memories ✨️ I will forever cherish. I have way too many stories to share on here. Maybe someday with your family I will. Thank you for being a true friend & confidant as I was for you, I will miss that everlasting smile, laugh, sense of humor, your tanasty for Life. The openings of your Perkins & our cruise in 2018 will forever be the best, loving, crazy good times memories. God speed Brenda 🙏 🙌 ✨️ 😇💔❤💞we all gained the The Most Beautiful, kind compassionate Angel we could ask for. You're now reunited with Damien and especially your Mum who mourned for. Jake & Danielle, my thoughts, love, compassion go out to you both ❤️ and your beautiful loving Family. The family Brenda cherished more than you may ever know. What a Beautiful tribute to your Wife & Mum... God Bless 🙌 🙏 ❤️ you all... you've always got a friend in me. Love ❤️ Annette M Haberman Big Lake, Minnesota - Posted by: Annette Haberman (Long time life friend ) on: Oct 15, 2022
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Those special memories of you, will always make me smile, If only I could have you back, for just a little while. No farewell words were spoken, No time to say goodbye, You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why, My heart still aches in sadness, and tears still flow. What it meant to lose my good friend No one will ever know. Always in my heart. Love Lissa - Posted by: Lissa Cychowski (Friend) on: Oct 15, 2022
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To Brenda's Family, What a beautiful tribute to Brenda. She was indeed a force in business and pleasure. What a blessing to have made such wonderful memories. Hold these tight in your heart. My deepest heartfelt sympathies to you all. Roma Niessen, Kelowna, BC - Posted by: Roma Niessen (Friend) on: Oct 15, 2022
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Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of Brenda. Far to young with still so much to do. She will be greatly missed. George and Doreen - Posted by: George and Doreen Dagdick (Neighbour from Fleming Ave from 1975-1985) on: Oct 15, 2022
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Our deepest condolences to our André friends at this time. Keep one another close. Sending love. - Posted by: Sarah and Celeste (Family Friends) on: Oct 15, 2022
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I met Brenda in 1999 when I started working for her at Perkins Head Office. I remember waiting for her to arrive for my interview—expecting one thing but in walked Brenda, dressed head to toe in black leather!! She was my boss by chance, we were friends by choice 💕. Since Covid our friendship certainly did blossom and almost weekly Mary & I planned visits and dinners, and got into a wee bit of trouble. Always such good times! I was so fortunate to have gone on last years New Years cruise with her and just in August was a promise she made to me to take me to Vegas, we made it & it was fantastic, she loved it there!! Rest peacefully my friend; love you always and forever 💕 - Posted by: Tannis Talarico (Friend) on: Oct 15, 2022
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I remember a conference that we went on and I asked her to dance. She was surprised as no one usually asked her. She could be intimidating. But we danced and talked just like normal people. She will be missed. My condolences. - Posted by: Jim Hunter (Ex employe) on: Oct 15, 2022
