Mrs. McAlpine shaped my confidence my belief system and help me follow a path I had always dreamt of. A musical life as a performer, actress, singer and artist.

First meeting her as my gym teacher in Grade 9 she quickly saw my lack of self worth camouflaged with a facade of false confidence and attitude.

Loving music I joined here choir, not having the confidence in myself to really try she put a stop to my tentative squeaky voice ruining the sound of her choir by subtly asking me to turn the sheet music at the piano. Not wanting to be a Target for the mean girls ( and mean boys) and being a person who’d easily get hurt I’d rarely had the confidence to put myself in a position to fail, be laughed at, mocked or criticized. So the fact I loved and wanted to perform & sing was not common knowledge.

Then, along with Mrs Cameron, our guidance counselor, she helped chaperones a week-long seminar for students in peer support at St Michael’s retreat in Lumsden. There my life really took a turn for the better with her guiding hand.

She shared a personal side if her life that other teachers would never. It felt like helping me, whatever it took, was worth the it. She made me feel trusted. And just maybe she thought I had substance and getting through to me and helping me was worth the risk.

It was during this retreat that I learnt what it felt like to have someone honestly believe in me. Support and encouragement, not because she was getting something out of it but because she just believed in me.

I gained enough Trust in her and confidence in myself to pull her aside once we were back at school so she could really hear me sing for the first time.

While singing Hero by Mariah Carey she suddenly stopped after the third verse and ask me who I was and what happened to Angela? Quickly reminding me of my role turning pages of sheet music in her choir. I told her while cleaning bathrooms at work I’d practice because I was alone and the Acoustics in the bathroom were amazing.

Laughing and with sincere excitement she says “You are trying out for the musical this year aren’t you? I already know you can act and have no problems with lines .” Then went on to explain she knew at that moment exactly what role I’d play and what songs I’d be singing but couldn’t tell me until after Auditions ;-).

Until her, my Drama teacher mr. Kaywood, and my guidance counselor in Mrs Cameron the totality of encouragement and or support I got was critical cringed facial expressions, and being told not to embarrass myself, everybody thinks they can sing. As well as the occasional passive and dismissive approval by friends. Now I had a music teacher I trusted and more than respected believing in me.

I’m sure I’m not the only young person whose life she touched. Her influence was critical and crucial in the shaping and inspiring decisions that were crucial in creating the happiest and most of fulfilling parts of my life.

But the most memorable thing she ever said to me was after she charged me with the responsibility of making the posters for my first musical Godspell.. She put a piece of posterboard in front of me and the cover of our Playbook saying I heard you could draw. Returning 20 minutes later she stood behind me put her hands on both my shoulders and said “is there anything you can’t do?”

I’d remembered those words anytime life got scary and my confidence was low. It was her words always got me through.

An amazing teacher, mentor, and friend.

Although I never took classes from Mrs. McAlpine, I was pleased to have been involved in the yearly operettas at Sheldon Williams Collegiate, 1976-1980, under her strict tutelage. I remember them and her well. Thanks.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Mrs. McAlpine’s family. My husband and I had the honour of attending Martin Collegiate in Regina, Sask. where Mrs. McAlpine was a fabulous music teacher!

She will be dearly missed, and her family is in our prayers!

Courteney (Moroschan) & Dagan Dawson

We were so sorry to read of Brenda’s untimely death. We had many great golfing experiences together. She died far too young.

It is with great sadness that my wife Athena and I received the news of Brenda’s death. I had the privilege to be one of her teachers in Franciscan studies here at Saint Bonaventure University. We became friends and she stayed with us during the summer of 2005 while finishing her studies. Brenda was a beautiful human being, so warm and caring, so true and honest, and a great musician. We miss her friendship and express our deep condolences to her family.

Brenda was my music teacher at Sheldon Williams Collegiate in Regina from 1984-1988.

She was an incredible educator as well as a great and versatile musician. She provided such a wonderful atmosphere for us young musicians to learn – the perfect balance of guidance and freedom. I feel that my own career as a musician is due largely to her music program.

I am so privileged to have known Brenda and I will miss her very much. She was an amazing person.

My deepest condolences go out to Brenda’s family.

Tilden Webb

I have fond memories of Brenda in Regina as we were on the same Knowledge quest. Now you Know. Please say hi to Ted for me. Please tell him that I still “check my motives”.

Harvey Fedyk

Condolences to the family. Brenda was an inspiration to my daughter Dione Taylor from Regina when she started her carees in music. Brenda was a joy to be around. I always appreciated her smile. May the Lord grant you all strength and courage in your time of grieving.

I will keep you in my prayers

On behalf of the staff and students of Bowness High School, and from Brenda’s colleagues in the Fine and Performing Arts Dept. at the school, I would like to extend my sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Brenda McAlpine. In the short time she was at Bowness HS, she had an enormous impact on the music students, and brought our choral and vocal jazz groups to new levels. In her guitar class, the students were taught the basics, and then were encouraged to explore many styles, and apply it to all the music they liked. It was very apparent Brenda had a passion for music, and a love of teaching music to her students.

No matter who needed to talk to her, Brenda’s ability to just listen and offer comfort and guidance, provided not only students, but some of our staff with a sense of well-being.

I feel fortunate to have worked with, and gotten to know Brenda before she got sick. I am sorry I am unable to pay my respects in person, but please be assured I am thinking of her and will be there in spirit on Tuesday at the memorial.

With Love and Respect,

Richard and Judy Condon

I have fond memories of working with Brenda on many musicals at Sheldon-Williams Collegiate. These were times of great joy, energy and enthusiasm. Brenda inspired the students to always give their best.

I have fond memories as well of Brenda’s many enthusiasms. She was among one of the first on staff to buy the new computers. When she became fascinated with philosophy she would challenge me each day at school to discuss the latest philosopher she was studying.

Brenda loved life with a passion and she will be sadly missed.

Since Brenda loved philosophy and music was her world, the words of Plato seem very apt.

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.

David Evans

As a student she made going to school each day possible, and brought music into my life in a new way. One of the reasons I survived high school was that I was allowed to hang out in her music room.

Thanks and may the rest of your journey be filled with love and peace..

Although I was only a student of Brenda’s for two years at Sheldon-Williams Collegiate, I have many great memories of her. She had the greatest enthusiasm for a best effort at anything, and although she demanded hard work she rewarded it too.

I loved her smile and her unbridled enjoyment in music and life.

Rest well.

I had the honor of being taught by Ms. McAlpine at Bowness High School, during her last year of teaching.

We had the same spare. So I would join her in front of the piano spending the hour singing jazz, talking, laughing about the high note she could no longer hit, and the notes I would never be able to reach.

She taught me an important lesson:

Whether you sing well or not, the important thing is that you sing.

I promise to sing loud for you. I know that you will hear me and that radiant smile of yours will cross your face once again.

You are such an amazing woman.

I feel sorry for everyone who did not have you in their life.

Catherine

xoxox

Brenda was a wonderful lady and she will be sadly missed by all her friends here at the Wascana Country Club.

Greg Dukart

General Manager

I was fortunate to know Brenda from the Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre near Cochrane, AB. She was a warm, caring, courageous person who shared her life as she lead us on a spiritual journey at the twilight retreats. I especially loved the meditations she lead to close out the evening. The music and lyrics were always a powerful way to summarize her thoughts and beliefs.

My sincere condolences to family and friends.

Our sincere sympathy to Brenda’s family. We were truly saddened at the news of Brenda’s passing. She was a remarkable person, musician and educator. As parents, we saw what an excellent relationship she had with her students at Sheldon Williams Collegiate, Regina, and what an inspiration she was to them. She has touched the lives of so many people and will be greatly missed.

Merle and Stan

Brenda had a great sense of humour and a wonderful spirit – I am very glad to have had the opportunity to walk the fairways with her. My condolences to family and friends.

Brenda was a member of the Rotary Club of Cochrane, she was active with the club acting as secretary for two years. Through the several different events I got to know her more, she lead a interesting life and really enjoyed poking fun at us about her Sask Roughriders whenever there was an opportunity. Brenda congratulations on a great life well lived and we are all going to miss you.

I just wanted to pass on my deepest sympathy to Mrs McAlpines family. I was once apon a time (18 years ago) a student of Brenda’s at Martin Collegiate. She inspired me greatly through her love and pure talent for music…she brought out the best in my musical ability and made it FUN to be involved in the bands, choirs, musicals…a great woman. She encouraged me and for that, I will remember her always and be eternally thankful. God Bless Brenda for having been one of those ‘great’ someones that came into our lives unexpectedly. My prayers will be with you all.

To Brenda’s family and special friends:

Brenda was Ardella’s best friend and considered a part of our family. She was a source of friendship and spiritual guidance to all of us. She was so fortunate to have such wonderful friends (Angels) and family during her stay in the hospital and hospice. We will all miss her terribly but she will continue on in our prayers and thoughts.

Love,

Gordon, Tim, Laurice, Wendy, Stu, Marlene, and her 8 adopted grandchildren.

Brenda was my golf partner and friend for many years. Our group used to play in the Champagne Classic to benefit the Hospitals of Regina. Brenda came back to Regina after her move to Alberta to play in the Classic with us one last time. That summer was her first encounter with cancer.

She also was close with my family. My parents inherited her cat, Shelby, when she moved and she used to have wonderful visits with them.

It is hard to believe that I won’t see her again. She was a very special person and touched many lives. I will miss her very much.

Gaye and Bill Taylor

I worked with Brenda at Martin Collegiate from September of 2000 to her retirement in June of 2002. We went on our annual band/choir trip together in the Spring of 2002. In the Martin yearbook, there is a picture of Cheryl Scherle, Brenda, and myself in front of Bow Falls in Banff that I love. I was in awe of Brenda even before I worked with her. She had such a passion for life, for music, and in her last few years, her faith. We connected over all those things. It was a great honour to work with her and to know her, even if that knowing was a way too brief. She was an incredible woman. The world has lost a tremendous human being. However, if I know Brenda, I am sure she’ll be jazzing it up in heaven, and God will be so delighted with this beautiful life. Well done, Brenda.

Gwen Edey

Mrs. McAlpine was was truly an inspiration to so many kids. I went to Sheldon Williams in Regina from 80-84 and in that time was part of 8 musical and various competing jazz choirs. Our school was known for its tremendous music and art programs. She was incredibly energetic and consumed with teaching everything she could to anyone who wanted to learn. I know that I always think of her when I hear Ella Fitzgerald or Bobby McFerrin. Rest in Peace Brenda McAlpine. Respectfully, Andrea

I first met Brenda as a music student of hers at Sheldon Williams Collegiate from 1979-1983. Brenda’s passion for music was intense and extremely contagious. She had a huge influence on all her students, many of us who decided to make music our life’s work because of her. Thanks so much for everything Brenda.