Brenda L. Carmen, 75, of Rock Island passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.

Brenda was born on February 10, 1948 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Charles and Ruth (Haslett) Brown. She married Alan Carmen on May 7, 1983 in Rock Island. Brenda worked at the Titusville (PA) Redevelopment Authority, Crawford Area Transportation Authority, and Schmeltzer Food Brokerage.

Brenda dedicated herself to the service of others in the community. She actively led or supported many community organizations over the years. She sought transparency and fairness of local judicial decisions as a founding member of Court Watch. She led efforts to add security lighting to Rock Island seniors' homes with Let There Be Light. She sought to improve voter access and election turnout as Rock Island Precinct Committeewoman. She was elected and served as a Rock Island Township Trustee for 12 years and the Rock Island Township Assessor for 12 years, retiring in 2020. She was also a member of the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Community Caring Conference, and Township Officials of Illinois.

Brenda enjoyed many hobbies. Throughout her life, she was a gifted writer and often expressed her sense of humor through poetry and storytelling. She proudly decorated her Broadway neighborhood home for every holiday, special event, and birthday. She cooked and baked in unreasonable quantities. She enjoyed shopping, coloring, and completing jigsaw puzzles.

Brenda will be best remembered for her unconditional love, loyalty, and support of her family, particularly her children, grandchildren, and multiple generations of strong-willed Alaskan Malamutes.

Those left to cherish Brenda's memory include her husband, Alan Carmen, Rock Island; son, Captain Herbert Carmen, U.S. Navy (Retired) and his wife Dr. Deborah Bradbard, Vienna, Virginia; grandchildren, Connor, Sarah, and Hannah Carmen; sister, Betty Avins, High Point, North Carolina; and mother-in-law Mary Carmen, Warminster, Pennsylvania.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ruth Brown; children, Kaycee Carmen and Jeffrey Ball; and sister, Barbara Gibson.

Funeral services are to be held on Friday, February 24th at 11:00 a.m. at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island. Burial will be in Hebrew Cemetery, Rock Island. Memorials may be made in care of the Quad City Animal Welfare Shelter or the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities. No flowers please.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.wheelanpressly.com.