Brenda Smith
December 16, 1946 — February 16, 2016
Brenda Blake Smith, 69, of Inverness, Florida, passed away on Feb. 16, 2016, at Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast in Inverness from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
Brenda was born to Betty Simpson Blake and the late Maurice Charles Blake, Jr. in Lyndonville, Vt., on Dec. 16, 1946. At the age of 5, she moved to Connecticut with her family to attend the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, but kept a great love for Vermont.
She resided in Connecticut for many years, where she gave birth to her three children and nurtured her lifelong love of gardening, devotion to animals and always had a dog with her. Brenda was a very gifted and strong willed woman. At the age of 42, Brenda moved to Inverness, Florida; there she received a certificate in horticulture from Central Florida Community College, and went on to publish a column called ‘The Master Gardener’ in the Citrus Times.
Brenda was a self-taught, gifted artist who carried on the oil painting traditions of her maternal grandfather and aunt. Many of her fine works are on display in the Citrus County, Florida area.
Brenda is lovingly remembered for her beautiful smile and indomitable spirit.
She was predeceased by her father, Maurice Blake Jr.
She is survived by her mother Betty Simpson Blake of Lyndonville; daughters: Brigitte Krolian of Danbury, Conn., and Elizabeth Voglesonger of Greenport, N.Y.; and son Dr. Kenneth Voglesonger of Chicago, Ill.; and five grandchildren. Additional survivors include her sister Paula Blake Valluzzo of Danbury, Conn.; aunt Janet Simpson D’Orazio of West Springfield, Mass.; uncles Richard Blake of Carthage, Miss., and Paul Blake of Live Oak, Fla.
A Graveside Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday June 4, at the William Dexter Cemetery off Route 122 in Sheffield, Vt., with John Sleeper officiating. A reception will follow at the St. Johnsbury Country Club on Memorial Drive in St. Johnsbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Brenda’s name can be made to the American School for the Deaf, 139 North Main St., West Hartford, CT 06107.
Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.guibordfh.com.