SOUTH BERWICK- Brenda Nash Stroupe Smith, aged 67, died peacefully on July 17,2017 with her husband and daughter by her side, holding her close, and with her beloved granddaughters having spent much time sharing their love of her as they always had together.
Brenda was born on April 11,1950 in Gaffney, South Carolina the only daughter and child of Ernest Carlyle Stroupe and Frances Jean Nash. She was raised in their loving home and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina where she attended Myers Park High School. Brenda graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972 and her blood always ran a proud Tarheel Carolina blue.
Brenda is survived by her husband James Barker Smith II that she married in 1972. They had one daughter and were blessed to share a marriage for 44 years together that was filled with happiness, laughs, respect, honor, friendship, and countless incredible good times together.
Brenda was pre deceased by her father and mother in law, James Barker Smith and Margaret Tasher which she shared years of a special relationship with them and many wonderful times.
Brenda is survived by her daughter Ashley Birkbeck and her son in law Don Birkbeck,
Her stepson James Barker Smith III and his wife Nikki Smith, and the 3 loves of her life, her 3 granddaughters, Jordan, Alexandra, and Bailey Birkbeck.
Brenda lived and raised her family in New Castle, NH for 18 years and with her family was one of the proud owners and operators of The Wentworth By The Sea Hotel. This beautiful hotel and its many splendors filled her life with many great friends, laughter, good times and many special and wonderful memories she always carried close to her heart.
Brenda and Jim then moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where she lived for 25 years. Hilton Head Island and all its treasures was her home she enjoyed immensely. She was blessed there with many wonderful friends, she enjoyed a career in real estate on HHI, and more than anything continued there her love and passion for the game of golf, that was her happy place. Brenda would frequently be found on the golf course with a smile on her face. She spent time being involved with the golfing community in her own local neighborhood club and on its many boards and organizations. She enjoyed very much donating her time and being part of The Heritage Golf Tournament in Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, SC.
Brenda thoroughly enjoyed and loved cooking. She was passionate about preparing beautiful meals and family dinner time. She enjoyed hosting gatherings of family and friends to relish in her delicious culinary cuisine. If you are one of the lucky ones to have enjoyed those meals and festivities, you know her table and kitchen was always open for something you would thoroughly enjoy.
Brenda's greatest pleasure in her life and her truest and deepest love was her 3 granddaughter’s and spending time with her family in her last years of her life. After coming to her final home in Maine to be with her daughter and granddaughter’s, she experienced a love deeper than any other she had known. Her 3 granddaughter’s were the sparkle in her eye, the warmth in her heart, and the love in the deepest parts of her soul. The time that Brenda shared with them, and boy there were many, from family dinners, to watching all their games and being their biggest fan and cheerleader, warm, sandy, sunny beach trips, shopping outings with her girls, her girls parties and events, and even their friends and boyfriends, watching television while laying in bed snuggling, the list could go on forever.
So to our amazing Nana, Wife, and to the woman I was fortunate enough to call mom, Brenda Smith, I will raise a glass of wine that you so enjoyed one final time to you, to celebrate your incredible life, all the good times we shared, and the woman you were to so many. I mourn all of our loss but we will go on and make you proud, the way you would want us to, the way you lived. With strength, determination, perseverance, love, passion, and your enjoyment and fight for life. You will always remain a part of our lives in everything we do, and your memory will be carried on forever.
You set a very high bar Brenda Smith, MY HERO, I will never be able to be thankful enough for having you as my mom. If I wrote a letter to God I couldn't have gotten one better. For all you did, and for being my daughter's nana, and dad's wife, For all you were to all of us, I promise you, I will try my best to be 1/2 of the woman you were, and with that my life will be complete. We will be having a memorial service that will be a celebration of Brenda's life at Fort Foster on Pocahontas Road in Kittery Point, Maine on Sunday July 30th,2017 at 1pm. We would love and be honored to have any and all family and friends. It is come as you are casual, a memorial tribute, followed by a BBQ and many glasses of wine with family and friends gathering, just the way she would want it.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Go Fund Me page that has been set up in Brenda Smith's memory that will be used for paying for all final expenses and memorial costs.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com