Brenda Day heard voices, voices of the past, voices of the people who speak to us every day.

At least that’s what University Minister Ira DeSpain said at her memorial service Wednesday.

“Brenda heard voices,” DeSpain said. “The very trees, the grass, the buildings spoke to her.”

DeSpain said Day, who served as director of Old Castle Museum, had the ability to hear the stories of people from the past, of Baker greats, of Baker legends.

She could hear Emil Liston telling stories about constructing Liston Stadium with his students. Stories of Baker’s all-time winningest football coach Charlie Richard echoed in her ears. She could hear William Alfred Quayle speaking in her sleep, in her dreams. She could hear everyone.

ALWAYS WORKING<br/>As a Baker alumna, Day always appreciated Baker's rich history, its past.As a Baker alumna, Day always appreciated Baker's rich history, its past.
As a Baker alumna, Day always appreciated Baker’s rich history, its past.

She tracked down the lesser-known stories, she uncovered the truth.

And she loved every second of it.

“I appreciated her energy, her enthusiasm, her passion for work and her downright orneriness,” Bruce Woodruff, associate professor of theater, said. “And if you knew Brenda, it was always orneriness.”

Day started working at Baker in 1990, where she served in many different capacities.

“I have so many memories with Brenda,” John Richards, assistant professor of history, said. “She just never let the details get in the way of the mission. It can be done.”

ALWAYS FIGHTING<br/>Day had been fighting cancer for a couple of years.Day had been fighting cancer for a couple of years.
Day had been fighting cancer for a couple of years.

She fought hard and long. It was the fight that junior Olivia Hernandez remembers, admires, respects about Day.

“Brenda only gave way to cancer when she was good and ready,” Hernandez said. “I don’t think I’ll ever meet another person on the planet who really knew what life was about.”

Even when Day knew her time was limited, knew she was nearing the end, she fought – she fought for herself and for those around her.

“She refused to let her deterioration tarnish her memory by refusing to have visitors in her final months,” alumnus Andrew McGregor said.

McGregor worked with Day in the Baker archives during his time at the university.

“Brenda never worried about herself. She always put others first,” he said. “As the end of her life came, she tended to be a bit guarded at times, trying to save the feelings and emotions of others.”

ALWAYS LIVING<br/>Even though Day is gone, her memory lives on, much like the memories of all the Baker greats she helped preserve over the years.Even though Day is gone, her memory lives on, much like the memories of all the Baker greats she helped preserve over the years.
Even though Day is gone, her memory lives on, much like the memories of all the Baker greats she helped preserve over the years.

“I lost one of my closest friends,” telecom specialist Dee Schneck said. “She’s going to be missed, but please don’t ever think she’s gone.”

Schneck and Provost Randy Pembrook organized a celebration of life ceremony for Day, where friends and coworkers released balloons in her honor.

“I was going to go with white balloons because they are classy,” Schneck said. “But everyone was like, ‘Really? She was so colorful.'”

Instead of white balloons, Schneck purchased balloons of all colors that Schneck said were “Brenda approved.”

Before releasing the balloons on the grass near Old Castle Museum, Schneck said she knows Day is watching, peering out from one of the windows of Old Castle Museum, and probably laughing.

“She’s always going to be with us,” she said. “So we need to always remember her.”