Predeceased by parents Ivan and Rita Arnold of Smiths Falls, sister Beverly Arnold-Henderson (Clem Henderson). Survived by brother Robert Arnold (Beverly Bennett-Arnold), brother William Arnold (Jeanette Lorimer-Arnold), sister Marylee Arnold-Drummond (Kieth Drummond), and a Host of Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces and Great Nephews. Will be greatly missed by life long companion Barry Begley, All of Smiths Falls. I would like to sincerely THANK all of the wonderful people in our lives who have given such kind Words and Deed during the time of Passing for Bren. Special mention to Nancy and Dr. Peter Yunker, Staff, Nurses & PSW’s of Bayshore Home Health, PSW’s of Red Cross, Access Centre, Doctors & Nurses at Ottawa General Hospital, Doctors & Nurses at Perth & Smiths Falls Hospitals who have given of their time, their energy, their skill, and their overwhelming human kindness. I consider myself one of the most fortunate guys on the planet to have had a life companion (46 years) of the calibre of Brenda. I have had the privilege to witness firsthand courage and grace and caring for others under the direst of health circumstances. While the pain of the loss of one so dear to me seems monumental at this time, there is great comfort in knowing how positively she touched so many peoples lives. While Brenda was a devout Roman Catholic and I am Protestant, that never became an issue. We both looked at Religion in a larger context. We each felt that it was not a specific Church or a specific building that mattered since GOD is universal to ALL faiths, ALL colours and ALL religions. Our faith in GOD has helped us through some very difficult times and given us a positive and upbeat viewpoint. A Christmas card arrived last week from a dear Lady near Carp, Ontario for Bren. I asked who she was. Bren indicated that she was a very nice person that she had met at the Ottawa General Hospital nearly 6 years ago (when she was first diagnosed with MS). They had had several conversations over the course of 4 or 5 days prior to the lady being discharged from the Hospital. My response to Bren was “You must have made a very lasting impression with her in that 4 days some 6 years ago for her to still remember you and feel that she needed to send you a Christmas Card“. Brenda just smiled and said “You do whatever you can to help”. When Brenda was in the Rehab section of the Ottawa General for almost 5 ½ months some 6 years ago, one of the services being given to Ms patients, especially one who was affected so suddenly and without any previous health issues was a counselling session. After a very few sessions, the lady Doctor said to Bren …..” I just don’t understand how you can be of such positive spirit ALL of the time given your present health circumstances?” Bren responded….”well it is not for me to know why I have contracted this health condition but I would much rather it be me than another member of my family.” The Doctor said ..”You really don’t need my help…Do You?” No I don’t but I didn’t want you to feel un-needed” was Bren’s response. After that last session, the roles reversed and the lady Doctor would occasionally drop by Bren’s room to discuss problems she had in her own private life. Perhaps a significant key to a solid, wholesome long lasting relationship occurs ….When you care more about your significant other than you do for yourself. We were so very fortunate to have found that key very very early in our relationship. I’m sure there are those that have wondered why we broke from tradition and have had No Service for Brenda. It is certainly NOT disrespectful, quite to contrary. Anyone who knows Brenda or myself would attest to the fact that we do not march to the drum of most people. We were at a Funeral service a number of years ago for a senior gentleman who had passed away. He and his wife were inseparable. You would never see one without the other. The unique thing about this service was that the Urn was a duplex. Brenda and I had never seen that before. His wife was going to keep his ashes in that Urn until she passed and then she would be placed in the conjoined half. We came away from that service of many years ago with an epiphany. That concept was what we wanted for ourselves. Brenda’s wishes and mine were to both be cremated and the one left would hold the ashes “In Trust” until they had passed at which time the both sets of ashes would be “spread to the 4 Winds” on the banks of the Rideau Lake together. In Death as in Life….together. We both loved the water and especially the Rideau so much that this just seemed a natural approach for us. We also chose no service and no viewing because we both felt that the time to visit and be with our friends and family is when they are here, not after they have passed. We also did not want to put all of our friends and family through the tremendous extra stress of a conventional Funeral at a time when everyone is still reeling from the loss. Brenda and I are very Simple people and we felt (at least for ourselves) that this approach to the passing of a loved one just made sense. Brenda would want me to Thank each and every person that we have touched the lives of who have been so kind and generous of themselves and we would ask if any one is so inclined that in lieu of flowers that perhaps a donation to L.A.W.S. (Lanark Animal Welfare Society) on Brenda’s behalf would be appreciated.