Brenda Marshall, née Bullen
A reception at the Haworth Art Gallery on September 5, 2015 celebrated the life of Brenda Marshall, who was an assistant curator at the museum and gallery for some 25 years. Brenda first worked at the Haworth in the mid-1980s, following her daughters into the role. Brenda's love of the arts and interest in people showed through in her passion for her job. Working initially alongside late curator Norman Potter, Brenda’s knowledge of the gallery’s works, especially its Tiffany glass collection, and her desire to communicate this appreciation to others, helped make her a favourite of visitors and staff alike. She acted as a guide to many visiting art and antiques experts, including presenters of television shows such as the Antiques Roadshow. Fellow Burnley-born expert Eric Knowles, was a particular favourite.

Mr Potter’s successor, Jennifer Rennie, described how well Brenda was loved, saying that people would come into the gallery just to see her. "When Brenda was at the front desk, it created a better atmosphere in the whole gallery," she added. "She was a truly lovely person and a good friend to those of us who were fortunate enough to work with her.”

Brenda was herself a highly creative and talented artist, who had applied her skills to figurative painting in various media and to ceramic painting. She had a love of all things art and antiques-related and had a keen eye for both. Known for her good taste and judgement, Brenda also curated and ran the gallery’s shop prior to her retirement at the age of 73.

Brenda met her husband Gordon at an Accrington Conservative Club dance and they married in 1959. They lived for most of their married life in the Baxenden area of Accrington. As a young mother of two, Brenda ran businesses of her own, including a ladies' clothing boutique. Before working at the gallery, she had enjoyed a long career in ladies' fashion and merchandising. Her interests were varied and she enjoyed extensive foreign travel with Gordon, spending many long holidays in France, in particular the Loire Atlantique, which was a home away from home. She was an avid reader and in the 1970s studied English Literature as a mature student alongside her then-teenage daughters. She was also a gifted cook, seamstress, interior decorator and homemaker. Her home was a haven of beautiful objects, flowers and paintings; a place where she enjoyed entertaining, sharing her delicious dinners with family and friends and observing pets and birdlife in her garden.

Brenda was the only child of Margaret and Samson, known as Sam, a World War II veteran and former merchant naval officer who later became a pit foreman and was killed in the Hapton Valley mining disaster of 1962. Margaret lived on for many years, remaining in the Rosegrove area of Burnley, where Brenda had grown up among their happy extended network of families.

Brenda passed away in Royal Blackburn Hospital on August 26th. A funeral at Burnley Cemetery drew friends and family from far and wide. She was dearly loved and is very deeply missed by her husband Gordon, her daughters, Louise and Laura, and by sons-in-law, Jon and Paul. Brenda was the much loved niece of Mary, cousin to Ann, Peter and Sarah and aunty to Gordon. The family would like to thank Reverend Barbara Knight for her personal ministrations and Alderson & Horan Funeral Services for their kind care and attention during their time of mourning. Special thanks are also extended to staff and friends at the Haworth for their kindness and shared memories of Brenda; to Kathleen and staff at Kathleen’s Florist, Burnley; and to staff at Hyndburn Press, all of whom showed great compassion and kindness.