Brenda Joy Duncan

Brenda Joy Duncan was born in Pascagoula, Miss., on May 28, 1952, to Dorothy and Rayford Keen. She passed away on May 31, 2023, in Spokane, Wash.  

As the oldest of six siblings, Brenda took on the motherly role and cared for her siblings. The family moved many times due to her father’s duty stations during his career with the United States Coast Guard. They eventually settled in Vancleave, Miss., when her father started his second carrier as a mail carrier. 

Brenda graduated from high school in Vancleave, and followed in her father’s footsteps, and started working at the post office. She worked first as a mail carrier, then as a postal manager. She was the first female postal manager in Tylertown, Miss.

Brenda married Robert “Bobby” Duncan in 1976. They were together for 37 years and had a daughter, Eva. They separated in 2013, and Brenda never remarried. 

After 34 years with the USPS, Brenda retired and started working at an academy in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, for troubled youth. She then moved to Hawaii and volunteered with hospice and the suicide hotline. She became a certified healing practitioner, loved her crystals, sound bowls, and drum, and was working to heal herself and others.  

Brenda enjoyed music and dancing. She loved Arabian horses and Pomeranians. Brenda was an adventurous, fun soul who loved to travel. She lived in several areas in Mississippi, as well as John Day, Ore., Walla Walla, Wash., Bonners Ferry, Kapaa, Hawaii, and lastly, Spokane.

Brenda is greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Myrna Loy. She is survived by her daughter, brothers, and sister; two grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends. 

A celebration of life was held in Mississippi. In honor of Brenda, may we all seek to find more joy in our days and share it with everyone we meet. Donations in Brenda's memory can be made to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery at vanessabehan.org.