Brenda Kay Washburn Fallon, 49, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 25th at Glens Falls Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Born September 5, 1968 to Gerald and Marilla Washburn,
Brenda was the youngest of six children. She grew up in Fort Ann, NY surrounded by love, laughter and family. She often fondly recalled summer evening family gatherings when her father would play his guitar and the whole family would sing and make music together into the night.
After graduating from Fort Ann Central School in 1986, Brenda married her first husband David who taught her a valuable lesson about never marrying a drummer. Following her divorce, she moved to the Boston area where she spent time as one of the lead singers of the Celtic rock band Hiring Fair. Her larger than life personality entertained countless barrooms and lounges full of patrons in spite of the fact that being on the stage terrified her. She was an accomplished song writer and she brought her lyrics alive with her strong and melodic voice.
After leaving the band Brenda met and married Kelly Fallon in Columbus, OH. Together, they had three beautiful children and eventually relocated back to the Glens Falls area.
Brenda was an amazing woman. Her wit and intelligence were unmatched. Brenda was someone that everyone wanted to be around. Her charisma and her humor drew people to her and she always had a way of making the people around her feel like they were family. She loved her friends and family fiercely and she was a constant champion for the underdog.
In life, Brenda was very honest about her struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder. She shared openly her highs and her lows in the hopes that she could inspire others to confront their own demons. People who have never met Brenda in person grew to love her through her constant support and encouragement, whether through her public Facebook page or the message boards she participated in. Last year Brenda spoke at the Warren Washington Association for Mental Health performance “Come As You Are” where she shared openly about her battle with depression and substance abuse. She was very proud of herself for taking the stage sober and speaking about something so close to her heart.
Brenda touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She was a vibrant, passionate woman. You never knew what to expect when you were with her, a fact that she took great pleasure in. Brenda was a restless soul who fought hard every day of her life to find peace and encouraged others to do the same. The world was a better place because she was in it.
Brenda was pre-deceased by her infant son, Rory Gerald Fallon, with whom she is finally reunited in heaven.
Brenda is survived by her husband Kelly Fallon, the two greatest blessings in her life-her children Ciara and Matthew Fallon and her beautiful stepdaughters Michaela and Siobhan Fallon of Columbus, OH.
Brenda is also survived by her parents Gerald and Marilla Washburn of Hartford, her sister Pamela Washburn Ross (Rick) of Johnsburg, her brother Gerald Washburn (Vicki) of Queensbury, her brother Rick Washburn (Bonnie) of Glens Falls, her brother Terrence Washburn (Donna) of Monroe, NJ , her brother Michael Washburn (Tammy) of Hartford and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In life Brenda found two kindred spirits who became family, Mark Steinberger of Hudson Falls and Sarah Lesselbaum of Delray Beach, FL who also grieve her passing deeply.
Brenda was never one to follow with tradition and despised sad funeral gatherings. In place of a traditional funeral, the family will hold a poolside celebration in Brenda’s honor at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made in the names of Brenda and Rory Fallon to the March of Dimes, 4 Computer Drive, W #201, Albany, NY 12205.
Arrangements are under the direction of Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.