Brenda J (Jena) Frick

Brenda J Frick, 63, of South Bend was called home at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 13th in her residence surrounded by her loving family following a hard fought battle with cancer. Brenda was born April 14, 1959, in South Bend to the late George Jena and Carolyn (Diedrich). On April 21, 1979, in South Bend, Brenda married the love of her life Eric Frick. She is preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Mary Jena and brother-in-law Melvin Launer. She is survived by her children, Amanda Frick (Judi Stayback), Andrea Canarecci (Joe), four grandchildren, Tori Canarecci, Eric Arseneau, Calister Canarecci, and Harper Canarecci, her three bothers David, Scott, and Bruce Jena, sisters-in-law Leola (Theodore Zdoniak), Elizabeth (Melvin Launer), brothers-in-law Melvin Frick and Everett Frick (Jennifer).

Brenda graduated from LaSalle High School class of 1977. While Brenda and Eric both attended LaSalle they didn’t meet and start dating until they both worked together at Carleton Financial Computations. After their first date walking around Scottsdale Mall, Eric told his mom that he would marry Brenda one day.

Brenda was an employee at JoAnn Fabrics where she was the Education Coordinator. There she was able to share her love of sewing and crafting with many people. Brenda was skilled at making many beautiful things: clothes, quilts, cards, paper crafts, accumulating 5 Cricut machines! She was able to share her love of crafting with her daughter Andrea and many friends. From scrapbook sleepovers with her (sister) Linda Brock and spending time with her quilting friends Pat Conrad and Liz Olsen.

Brenda loved and cherished designing and sending cards to her kids, grandkids, and friends for all the holidays, birthdays, and even just because. She was there for everyone and always just a phone call away. She especially loved her morning tea and chats with her daughters Amanda and Andrea.

Eric and Brenda loved travelling, cruising to Hawaii and the Bahamas with their longtime friends Jeff and Patty Wallis. Several cruises to Bermuda and another cruise with their grandson Eric again to the Bahamas. Their Mediterranean cruise with daughters Amanda and Judi was unforgettable as they visited Rome, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt following the footsteps of Jesus. So many memorable family vacations and camping trips. Brenda was devoted to her family and loved spending time with them more than anything else in this world. She especially loved the time she was able to spend with her grandkids for coffee dates, sleepovers, and helping them to express their own creativity making things.

Brenda was a beautiful, amazing, and heartfelt woman loved by all who knew her. Gone is a piece of our hearts and she will be missed daily.

Cremation arrangements handled by St. Joseph Funeral home 824 S. Mayflower, South Bend. A time of memories and service for family and friends will be at First United Methodist Church, 333 N. Main Street, South Bend on December 31, 10AM and all are invited.

12/26/2022 EJS