- Date Of Birth: April 29, 1937
- Date Of Death: June 14, 2021
- State: Colorado
Brenda Valerie Duncan, a long-time Denver resident and educator died on Monday, June 14 at Swedish Hospital in Denver after a long illness. She was 84.
Brenda was born in London, England on April 29, 1937 to Joseph Duffy and Mamie Loerliger. Brenda earned a degree in Primary and Secondary Schools from Bedford College before moving to the United States in 1962. She spent her career as a teacher, trainer, program director, mentor, consultant and presenter with expertise in early childhood education and curriculum development. Brenda’s work was informed by the work of Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Friedrich Froebel, Eric Erikson, Maria Montessori, Bev Boss and the British approach with its emphasis on informal education.
Brenda was instrumental in the founding of the Stanley British Primary School in Denver, and taught at Graland Country Day School, Montview Preschool; and Foothills Academy. Brenda also developed curricula for Head Start, worked as an ECE professor at Metropolitan State University, and consulted at many other organizations and schools including Title I and Title III programs for students with economic disadvantages and students learning English. For many years she was an advisor for the Stanley BPS Teacher Training Program, mentoring countless teachers on the principles of child development and early childhood education. She continued to work with that program in her retirement.
Brenda and her husband, Roger, turned a British double decker bus into the bright-red Double Decker Toy Store which was a fixture at Larimer Square, county fairs and the Colorado State Fair for several years in the early 80s. They also opened a toy store in Lakewood on Alameda Avenue.
In her later years, Brenda belonged to the women’s group PEO, and to the international club “Welcome to Colorado”. She was also an accomplished botanical artist, studying at the Denver Botanic Gardens botanical illustration program.
Brenda is survived by her three children; Matthew Duncan, Nicola Frost, and Rachel Duncan; and by her seven grandchildren, Emily Moore, Duncan Frost, Dylan Frost, Isabella Frost, Marley Duncan, Roger Kamotsky and Andrew Kamotsky. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Lee Duncan, her stepdaughter Jennifer Duncan, and her brother, Brian Duffy.
Brenda is remembered for her quick wit, deep conversations, love of children, and admiration for natural beauty.
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A Memorial Fund has been created in honor of Brenda at Stanley BPS.
