Brenda Sue (Schwartz) Hess, age 62, of Quincy, Illinois, passed away on March 19, 2025. She was born on September 13, 1962, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Quincy, IL to Robert Allen Schwartz & Delores Catherine (Peters) Schwartz.
Brenda was only 10 years old when her mother passed away in 1972. When Hazel Neff married Robert on June 15, 1974, she quickly became a second mom to Brenda and her five siblings.
She graduated from Payson High School in 1980. In 1984, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Quincy College.
Brenda met her husband Dale Hess in 1984 and the couple were married on June 21, 1986, in the Quincy College Chapel. They were blessed with a daughter, Lydia Nicole on July 4, 1992.
Brenda taught 4th grade at St. John’s Baptist for five-years and later was a substitute teacher at the Camp Point Elementary School. Her love for children was evident as she ran a daycare for 18 years. Her great nieces and nephews will always remember going to Aunt B’s when their parents went to work.
The positive impact Brenda had on those who knew her will always be remembered. As a Member of Madison Park Christian Church, Brenda taught 21 years in the Early Childhood Department and volunteered in the nursery.
As a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend, Brenda’s pride and joy was being called “Mimi” by her precious grandchildren and her “Bonus Family” of Haylee Roth, Paxton and Lynnix. In her spare time, she loved her Pomeranian pups Porter & Romeo, camping with family, watching Hallmark movies and reading. Brenda also was known for long phone calls with her “Bestie” Robin Stuva.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dale of Quincy; daughter Lydia Hess (Jon Cockrum) of Quincy; three granddaughters Izabella, Huntley & Wyllow; three sisters, Sharon Graves of Mendon, IL; Theresa (Tom) Hoyt of Barry, IL; Tina (Mike) Flesner of Quincy, IL; two brothers, Steve (Susie) Schwartz of Quincy, IL and John (Nancy) Schwartz of Barry, IL. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother Delores (1972), father Robert (1998), stepmother Hazel (2017) and brother-in-law Roger Graves (2021) and many beloved family members.
A Celebration of Brenda’s life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, Illinois from 2:00-6:00 pm. A private family burial of cremated remains will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Madison Park Christian Church (Early Childhood Department) or to help cover the cost of funeral arrangements.