Obituary of Brenda J. Parker
Mrs. Brenda J. Parker, 73, of Lake Pleasant passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2020 in St.
Mary’s Hospital, Amsterdam with her family by her side.
Brenda was born in Tupper Lake on June 22, 1947 the daughter of Richard and Alice (Demars)
LaGrave. After high school, she graduated from what is now known as Jefferson Community
College with a degree in secretarial studies. On September 27, 1969 she married Douglas A.
Parker in St. Alphonsus Church, Tupper Lake. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Lake
Pleasant and Brenda started her career as the jail matron for the Hamilton County Jail. In 1982
she became the confidential secretary for her husband, the newly elected Sheriff. This was a position she enjoyed until her retirement in 2009.
Brenda was a faithful communicate of St. James Church in Lake Pleasant and for several years
she organized bus trips for the community to NYC and Atlantic City. Brenda always looked
forward to their winter stays in Florida and their many excursions with their 5th wheel camper.
Brenda is survived by her husband of 51 years, Douglas A. Parker; their two children, Richard A.
Parker of Auburn, NY, Laura Abrams (Sheriff Karl G. Abrams) of Piseco; five grandchildren,
Rylie, Riordan and Shannon Parker of Auburn, Isabel and Parker Abrams of Piseco; a sister-inlaw, Janet Parker Ferren of Lichfield, NH; two brothers-in-law , Thomas Perkins of Speculator and
Freeman Stuart of Tupper Lake, Several nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, Brenda, was pre-deceased by a granddaughter Margo Abrams, her
sister Sally Stuart; a sister-in-law, Margaret Perkins and a brother-in-law, Donald Ferren.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on October 17, 2020 at 11 am in St. James Church,
Lake Pleasant. Interment was in Long Lake Cemetery, Long Lake.
Memorial contributions in Brenda’s name may be made either to Piseco Volunteer Ambulance,
1660 State Route 8, Piseco, NY 12139 or to Speculator Volunteer Ambulance,2960 NY-30,
Speculator, NY 12164.
