Brenda Arlene Malbon (née Lagasse) of East Madison passed away on the 25th day of November, 2012 following a long and difficult struggle against cancer. Brenda was born to Armand and Evelyn Lagasse on May 26, 1946 in Skowhegan, ME, the youngest in a family of 12. She attended Skowhegan schools and graduated from the Skowhegan Area High School in 1965. When she was 16 she met her first and only love, her husband of 46 years, Gary Malbon (class of 1964). Brenda is survived by her adoring husband Gary, her sons Jason and Troy, Troy’s wife Sarah and their children Emma and Abby Malbon. She is also survived by her sister Audrey and her husband Royal of Bolton CT; her sister Corinne of Thurston, CT and Madison; her brother Linwood and his wife Shirley of Mercer; her sister Barbara West of Skowhegan; her brother Armand (Duffy) and Carolyn of Madison; her sister Pauline Runnells of Canaan; her sister Janet and her husband Roland Cassidy of Bingham; her brother Donald and his wife Claudette of Killingsworth, CT; her brother Eugene and his wife Patty of Solon ; and her sister Judy and her husband Larry Ellis of Skowhegan. She is predeceased by her brother Richard Lagasse and her infant sister, Christine Lagasse. She also leaves behind many, many nieces, nephews and extended family, all of whom she cherished and by whom she will be sadly missed. Brenda’s greatest passion was her family; being a loving and supportive mother to her two sons, Troy and Jason, a loving guide providing retreat for many of her nieces and nephews, and most recently an incredibly wonderful Grandmother to Troy and Sarah’s children Emma and Abby. Her love and devotion spread wide throughout her entire circle of family and friends. Through her family, the church, work and a lifetime in the Skowhegan area, Brenda knew and was a dear friend to many. Following her graduation from high school, Brenda went on to earn her Certificate of Hair Styling at Bruno’s School of Hair Design. She was a popular local hairdresser for many years, working with her dearest friends Sharon Mantor and Mary Ellen Carpenter, and subsequently opening her own shop. She will also always be remembered for her beautiful quilts which she generously gave to the first person to remark on their beauty. Those of us who are lucky enough to have one or more of those quilts know how special they are. Brenda was an active and faithful member of the Notre Dame de Lourdes church in Skowhegan. Whether worshiping the Lord at Church or at home, Brenda always believed that God knows that where you are is not a concern when you speak to Him, just that you know He is always with you. She was Eucharistic Minister for several years and active in the Eastern Star. Throughout her illness her faith in God and many of her congregation allowed her to face her death with grace and dignity, looking toward to whom and what would await her when she arrived in Heaven. The family would like to thank the many members of their loving family and friends for all of their support during this difficult time, as well as the wonderful nurses and CNAs of Beacon Hospice, without whom Brenda would not have been able to remain at home, as was her dying wish. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brenda’s memory to either the Somerset Humane Society on Middle Road in Skowhegan or Beacon Hospice at 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta, ME. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church, Water St., Skowhegan, on Saturday, December 1st at 10:00 a.m. with Father John Mazzei officiating and burial to follow at E. Skowhegan Cemetery in Skowhegan, with a reception to follow. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.