Brenda Jean St. Clair, 53, of East Helena passed away April 24, 2009, at Benefis East Hospital in Great Falls of a heart attack. Brenda fought cancer for six years with a hard-nosed "Bring it on" attitude, not living with cancer but rather having a fulfilling life with it. She lived her life as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and best friend. Cremation has taken place and services will be Friday, May 1, at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Helena.

Brenda was born at the Havre Hospital on August 23, 1955, to Dale and Lois (Wilson) Butcher. She was their first daughter and the fourth of six children. Brenda is survived by her husband, Kevin St. Clair; sons, Thaddeus (Stacie) of East Helena and Randall (Melissa) of Missoula; brothers, Bruce (Mary Lou) Butcher of Chinook, Rob (Nancy) Butcher of Fort Collins, Colo., and Ron Butcher of Tennessee; sister, Julie (Tom) Finley of Chinook; mother, Lois Butcher of Chinook; father-in-law, Leo St. Clair of Helena; and 13 cherished nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dale; mother-in-law, Elma St. Clair; brother, Brent Butcher; and brother-in-law, Robert St. Clair.

Brenda married Kevin St. Clair on June 21, 1980, at the Presbyterian Church in Chinook, whom she loved dearly and had her 2 sons with.

Brenda attended schools in Chinook and graduated with honors from Chinook High School in 1973. She worked at local businesses for a year before moving to Helena and gaining employment with the state of Montana. She started as an administrative assistant for the Board of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. After 30 years she was diagnosed with cancer and retired in 2003 as the bureau chief of Business and Occupational Licensing, receiving many awards and accomplishments along the way, most notably an award of appreciation for excellence presented by Former Governor Marc Racicot.

Her devotion to things she believed in and never-ending perseverance showed in everything she did, from her work to family, league bowling to softball, or crossword puzzles to being Barbie. A fierce competitor, especially when it came to card games, Brenda was a sore loser and a worse winner. She would always tell you what she thought about you and your play. She touched countless lives with her own, was an inspiration to us all and will be dearly missed.

Internment of Brenda's ashes will be at a later time when it is warm and sunny, as per her wishes. Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Church in Chinook or to a charity of the donor's choice.