Brenda B. Bolster

Brenda Burton Bolster, 70, passed away peacefully at home with her beloved husband and soul mate Chip by her side on August 9th 2023.

Brenda was the loving wife of Raymond J Bolster, II (Chip) for 48 years and the daughter of the late Madelin Possner Burton and John F. Burton and the sister of the late Vicki Lucki.

Brenda, so thoughtful of others, was always so dignified and gracious, inspired all who knew during her long battle with cancer (Multiple Myeloma) and progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Born in Providence but was a lifelong resident of Wakefield RI. Graduate of Mount St Joseph College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and graduate Studies in the Arts at the University of Rhode Island and RISD.

Brenda played in the Rhode Island junior golf program during which time she competed in several National Junior Tournaments. She was a supporter of the RIWGA junior golf scholarship fund and Donor to Buttonhole Golf.

Brenda was an Administrator in Finance for the South Kingstown School Department and worked in finance for the Visiting Nurses of Washington County. Brenda served on Multiple Boards in the community: the YMCA of South County; 20 years on the Courthouse Center for the Arts; The Weavers Guild of Rhode Island; through which many of her weavings were displayed at Smith College and Hera Art Gallery.

Brenda loved the arts. She was known for her beautiful needlepoint projects and paintings. All of which were either donated or gifted to her friends.

Brenda volunteered her services writing many grant applications for various community organizations. Brenda and her husband Chip have a long list of community involvements. The South County Hospital Healthcare System Endowment, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Jamestown Center for the Arts, South County Museum, Animal Rescue Rhode Island, and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Shri Service Corps, and Special Olympics, to name a few. She also organized Multiple Gala Events in support of various charities.

In 2012 Brenda and Chip were named 2012 Outstanding Philanthropic Citizens by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Rhode Island Chapter.mBrenda and Chip were recognized for the dedication, time, energy, wise counsel and generosity they bestowed upon their community.Brenda was honored to be invited to attend a meeting of the National Endowment for the Arts. During this meeting she had a private meeting with Governor and President of NEA in Washington DC regarding funding for Art Programs and RISD throughout Rhode Island at the Rhode Island Foundation.

A close friend, Ken D’Ambrosio, donated a wooden sculpture in Brenda’s name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Ken stated that from the moment you meet Brenda, you are attracted by her sincerity and love to help others. She has never wavered from always wanting to help despite her MS. The wooden sculpture was donated, in her honor, to raise funds for the National MS Society.

Brenda was a loving, energetic person with a strong passion for life but the strength of someone who’s affected by circumstances but not defined by them.

She was a Member of the Dunes Club and past member of Point Judith Country Club.

Brenda will be deeply missed and is survived by her husband Chip.

She was a Communicant of St. Thomas More parish in Narragansett.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 11:00 am in St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland St., Narragansett. Burial will be private. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to South County Hospitals Cancer Center,100 Kenyon Avenue, Wakefield, RI or Dana Farber Cancer Center for Research or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society New England Chapter.