Brenda (Gill) McCallum

On December 13, 2017, Brenda Gill McCallum passed away peacefully after a brief illness.    

                Brenda grew up in a large and loving family in Chestnut Hill, MA, where she attended Mount Alvernia School.  She earned her bachelor’s degree from Boston College and her RN from the Mount Auburn Hospital School of Nursing.  Through her nursing career at the Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Brenda met her husband Dr. Leo T. McCallum.  They were married in 1962 at St. Ignatius and lived in Newton Centre for nearly 52 years before he passed away. Brenda enjoyed raising her four sons and all their friends.  Brenda loved being a good neighbor and was always ready for a spirited conversation, a quick joke or to lend a helping hand.  She was an avid Boston Sports fan, loved political gossip, a good game of Bridge and all things BC.  She was active in Newton Women’s Club and her church over the years and, as an avid walker and dedicated dog owner, she was a familiar sight in Newton Centre & recognized by many.

               Brenda is survived by her sons William C. McCallum and his wife Jennifer of Boston, Leo T. Thomas “Tom” McCallum, Jr. and his wife Katrinka of Morrisville, N.C., John H. McCallum of Newton and David J. McCallum and his wife Jamie of Dedham.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Victoria, Cassandra, Nicole, Christine, Lachlan, Declan, Ryan, Hayden, Bridget and Taylor, who will always remember their beloved grandmother because of an endless supply of sweets, no curfews, Texas Hold Em Poker games, non-stop jokes, dessert for breakfast and a lifetime of hugs, kisses and encouragement.  She is also survived by her sisters Maureen Flaherty of Arlington, MA and Paula Gill Alexander of Rochester, MA as well as her sister- and brother-in-laws as well as many nephews and her one niece. Brenda was the daughter of the late John C. and Margaret (Hart) Gill and sister to the late John C. Gill Jr., Sheila M. Hughes, Thomas M. Gill, Robert E. Gill and Eileen F. Gill.

              In her later years, Brenda resided at Brookdale in Framingham MA and the family extends their appreciation to the staff who took wonderful care of their mother.   Relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial service that will be arranged near her birthday in April 2018.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brenda’s memory to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at BIDMC Office of Development, 330 Brookline Avenue (OV), Boston, MA 02215.

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