RUSSELL – Brenda L. Whitmarsh, age 81, formerly of Russell, passed away on May 8, 2025 at North Country Nursing and Rehabilitation in Massena where she has resided since December 2022.

There will be a private graveside service in Pleasant View Cemetery in Clare. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home in Edwards. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.

Brenda was born on November 15, 1943 in the town of Russell to the late Joseph and Olga L. (Paro) Chambers. She attended Knox Memorial School in Russell. Brenda married Norman Todd on September 19, 1963 at the Methodist Church in Lyons, NY. Norman passed away on March 19, 2007. She married Frederick Whitmarsh, Sr. on December 24, 2007. Fred passed away on January 24, 2022.

Brenda had lived in Syracuse, Potsdam, Canton, Russell, and DeGrasse. She loved line-dancing, spending winters in Florida, was famous for her homemade fried dough, and took pride in her family.

She is survived by three children, Candy Edie and her husband, Skip, Norman Todd Jr. and his girlfriend, Beulah Jock, Duane Todd and his wife, Laurie, two step-children, Frederick Whitmarsh, Jr. and his wife, Wendy, and Patricia Whitmarsh, and two sisters, Sandra Aldous and Etta Hance. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Nathan Surface and his partner, Shannon TeRiele, Jennifer Rand and her husband, Brad, Chance Todd, and Trevor Todd, six step-grandchildren, Erick Whitmarsh, Madison Bradford, Madelaine Bradford, Makenzie Bradford, Ian Edie and Levi Edie, and many great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands, Brenda is predeceased by brothers, Charles, Joseph, Phillip, and James Chambers, sisters, Theresa Simmons, Shirley Holmes, Martha Hance, Helen Eggleston, and Lettie Holmes, and a step-grandson, Derrick Whitmarsh.