Obituary of Brenda Lynn Recknagle

Brenda Lynn Recknagle was born the youngest of seven children in Bremerton, Washington, to Kenneth and Elizabeth Recknagle on March 28, 1967.  Brenda lived in Port Orchard, Washington, and some of Brenda’s favorite things as a child were camping, swimming at the family Hood Canal beach property, her household pets, and spending time with her family.

Brenda attended College at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in History in 1991 with K-8 teacher certification, and began an amazing journey as a teacher.  She continued her education and earned a Masters in Educational Technology in 1995.  Her career was diverse and allowed her many experiences, starting in Washington where she earned several awards, including a TEAM award from the city of Monroe for Grant Writing; she co-authored the Bill and Melinda Gates School Grant; and independently earned a Teacher Leadership Project. She then moved and was a teacher in Arizona.  Brenda was especially excited to work internationally and was a teacher at International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, International Schools of Riau in Duri, Indonesia, and finished her career at Walworth Barbour American International Schools of Israel in Even Yehuda, Israel. 

Brenda’s international teaching years allowed her to travel with her family to many countries and destinations across Asia, Europe, Africa and more.  Brenda loved and appreciated the diversity in the places she lived in and traveled to, always a student of the local traditions, art and culture.

Brenda’s talents and interests included the love of activities in art, scuba diving, running, mountain biking, photography, and anything that took her outdoors.  Brenda was always a bright and cheerful person and she made many friends over the years, who remained close though her life. Brenda passed away peacefully in her home in Lacey, Washington, on February 18, 2020.

Brenda is survived by her sons, who are the light of her life, Rex Anthony Inskeep and Phoenix Anthony Inskeep; her mother, Betty (Elizabeth) Sorenson; her six siblings, Ed Recknagle, Tom Recknagle, Denise Gibbons, Kurt Recknagle, Susan Newkirk and Lu Anne Recknagle Eyles. She is loved and will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends. 

Memorial donations are suggested to the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation and Ivy Brain Tumor Center or the Sea Turtle Foundation.

A celebration of life will take place on July 4^th in Olympia, Washington.  Please check back for details. 

Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.