With great sadness and profound loss for our family, we share with you the passing of our dear Brenda in the quiet, serene, early morning of Sunday, October 8, 2023 at the age of 68. She fought a most courageous, long battle with a debilitating illness that stole the life of this thoughtful, loving, selfless, and caring wife, daughter, sister, and aunt from our midst. Her beautiful singing voice, the greatest loss, has gone silent; but, the memories of her enormous personality, that drew everyone to her, will be with our family forever.

She was an entertainer at heart. Singing and jazz were her passions and at the forefront of her life; but, her humanitarian efforts should not be diminished. HER LEGACY IS THIS: Be aware of those around you who are in need and suffering…“simply help”. Do anything you can, and dare to make a difference in someone’s life. Brenda truly lived this mantra. Her work at “Victims for Justice” in Anchorage, Alaska would earn her “Volunteer of the Year” (two years); she assisted elderly, retired musicians; and, sang and played in jazz concerts for over twenty years to raise monies to feed the homeless.

On November 18, 1954, in Marion, Ohio, Brenda was born to parents Ada M. (Barber) and Arthur P. Vulgamore Sr. On May 24, 1972, her father would pass away at age 62. Her mother survives in Marion.

When an opportunity presented itself, this beautiful and talented young girl entered the 1973 “Miss Heart of Ohio Scholarship Pageant” in Marion, Ohio to help defray the cost of furthering her education. She sang an original composition “Hold Me Tight” put to music by now renowned jazz pianist, Bobby Floyd, a high school classmate and friend. She not only won the title and the scholarship, but took home the “Talent” and “Miss Congeniality” awards. Later, she would enter the 1974 Miss Scioto Valley Scholarship Pageant in Kenton, Ohio winning the scholarship and “Talent” award as well. The same year, she participated in the 1974 Miss Ohio Pageant winning “Miss Congeniality”. Her natural, powerful singing voice began to take on a life of its own.

In 1973, she would graduate from Marion Harding High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Future Teachers of America (FTA). Other activities included: Folk Five, crowned Homecoming Queen in 1972, participated in music theory classes, orchestra (cello), concert choir, Sweet Sixteen, vocalist for Stardusters, student council, pep club, cheerleading, church choir, and she would earn the “Senior United Methodist Youth Fellowship Award” (out of 43 high school seniors, she was one of four honored for outstanding achievement for Christian youth work).

Brenda entered Ohio Northern University (ONU) as a freshman in 1973. At ONU, Brenda majored in elementary education, and graduated May 22, 1977 with a triple major in English, Philosophy, and History. She was also President of Student Council, and gave the “Student Response” during graduation exercises. She was an Alpha Epsilon Pi “Little Sis,” and participated in chapel choir and cheerleading. She belonged to the tennis team and the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and won an All-Campus Talent Show.

Taking a year off after college, she began “gigging” in clubs in Columbus, Ohio, and surrounding areas. She sang all genera’s of music, but jazz was by far her favorite. 

In 1981, the day after singing at her sister’s wedding, she left for Anchorage, Alaska. The trip was prompted by an invitation from jazz guitarist Rick Smith and percussionist Rubin Young. The three had performed briefly in Ohio. When Smith and Young lost their vocalist, they immediately called Brenda. By now, she had established herself as a serious singer and musician. She also sang with the “Air Force Band” consisting of Tim Tyler, keyboards; Don Heider, sax; and Larry Evans, drums, who were active duty musicians stationed in Alaska.  

In 2007, the families of Brenda and Charlie would travel to Anchorage, Alaska to attend their wedding. Brenda would be united in marriage to Charles A. (Charlie) Hune, of Kenton, Ohio, on Saturday, July 8, 2007, at the Anchorage Museum of History, a union lasting 16 years. In this beautiful setting, and to the delight of her guests, she entertained all of us with some of her favorite songs. Her husband survives in Tennessee.

Alaska became Brenda’s home for 42 years. Brenda loved Alaska, the animals, and beautiful scenery. The walking trails were one of her passions, and she thoroughly enjoyed her daily walks. She met and formed lasting relationships with numerous jazz musicians in Alaska. One such union was with her close friend Karen Strid-Chadwick, Professor of Music, at The University of Alaska (UAA). Brenda sang vocals for The Karen Strid Quartet consisting of: Jim Davis, Tenor Sax; Ray Booker, Bass; Curtis Bates, Drums; and, Karen Strid, Piano. They would perform annually for “Jazz Week Benefit” at the UAA. For twenty years, Brenda and Karen would participate in “Jazz Fighting Hunger - Music for the Soul….Food for the Community”, which was an evening of R & B and Jazz to benefit for the Food Bank of Alaska.

During her career, Brenda would become an Adjunct Professor of Music for The University of Alaska. Brenda composed some of her own material and modeled her work after Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and other great jazz vocalists. While in Alaska, she formed her own ensemble, the Brenda Vulgamore Quartet. She participated in the KSKA Summer Music Festival with upwards of 15,000 attendees, and gave jazz vocal workshops there.

Her last concert with the Karen Strid Quartet was the “2013 Homeless Concert on the Lawn”. Brenda and Karen also performed together many times at the Pier One Theatre “on the spit” in Homer, Alaska.

Brenda never forgot where her roots began, making as many trips home to Marion as possible for visits with family, especially her aging mother, and old friends still living in and around Marion area.

This year when Brenda’s medical condition deteriorated and her mobility became very limited, Brenda and Charlie sold their home in Alaska and planned a complicated move across the country to Tennessee to be closer to family. With Brenda’s encouragement, Charlie pulled off the move of the century, and they were able to move into their new home in August of this year. Brenda had left her beloved Alaska for the last time on May 31.

Brenda is survived by her following siblings and their extended families: Jerry L. (Linda Maag) White, and family Kasen Miller, Brian White and daughter Taran Johnson and her daughters Sisalie, Savalie, and Skyalie all of Marion, Ohio; and, Jeri Lynn (Tom) Hartshorn of North Carolina. Melody A. (Ronnie) Miers, and son Richard L. Miers III and his daughter Courtney L. Miers; and, grandson Joshua Thaw all of Marion, Ohio. Cheryl L. (Jack) Lautenslager of Marion, Ohio. Arthur P. (Diane) Vulgamore Jr. of Pennsylvania, and son Raymond L. (Sunshine) Vulgamore and their sons, Logan, Danny and Bruce all of Texas; and, daughter, Katrina L. Vulgamore of Pennsylvania.

Brenda is also survived by Charlie’s son, Glenn Hune, along with his wife Maggy and their children Sean and Hallie, who assisted with Brenda’s care during the move to Tennessee.

Brenda was preceded in death by her Father: Arthur P. Vulgamore Sr.; Grandparents: George (Alwilda) Vulgamore; and, Roy (Chloe) Barber. Aunts/Uncles: Georgie (Chuck) Harris; Mylan (Carrie) Holmes; Ray (Dorothy) Vulgamore; Orville (Ocie) Vulgamore; Walter Vulgamore; and, Don and Thelma Shirk. Nephews: Randy White and Rodney Miers. Great-Niece: Rachael Miers, in infancy.

Brenda’s family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Snyder Funeral Homes, Gunder/Hall Chapel, 347 W. Center St.; Marion, Ohio 43302. Services to honor and celebrate her life will begin there at 2:00 p.m., with Jospeh P. Kantzer officiating.

At a later date, and in accordance with Brenda’s wishes, her ashes will be scattered in beautiful Kachemack Bay, Alaska.

Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to have been chosen to serve Brenda’s family. Special memories or condolences may be shared by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.

Music, it can carry us back in time, and inspire us to dance in the moment….for all our happiest days, there is music.