Brenda Gayle Geneau
Brenda Gayle Geneau, 84 passed away Peacefully surrounded by Love and family at her home in Santa Barbara, CA. Born in Los Angeles as the Beloved only child of Clyde and Evalyn Richardson. The family moved to Santa Barbara when she was 12 where she met her Best friend for life Peggy Bilotta, They both became one of the first Barbarettes at SBHS and Brenda was Lucky #13! After graduating she married her high school sweetheart Donald Begg, She had started her first semester at UCSB when she found out she was pregnant, so over the next 6 years she brought Donny, Jimmy and Amber home to create the family she had dreamed of, while managing their business Begg Trucking. Unfortunately an accident left Brenda widowed with 3 children under 7, so she went back to work to support her family. Years later while continuing to work, cook , clean, sew and invest proceeds from a wrongful death lawsuit for her little family, she met the Love of her Life Jerry Geneau. After a cautious start they would go onto share 44 wonderful years together They spent time camping, water/snow skiing, traveling and sailing with friends and family year round. They even ran Geneau Optical together for 18 of the 22 years before retiring. They also spent much time at the SBYC where they connected with Mark & Trudy Allen in a partnership of a sailboat named Aetheria, to become lifelong travelers together All over the world!
Brenda started a new adventure taking classes at SBCC adult education in the Art department, along with studying under many renowned artists before finding her medium in watercolor. She was active members of SBAA, GVAA, LOAA, , SCAPE & LPWS. Over 25 years she celebrated much notoriety with awards, being a featured artist in libraries and Galleries., but her proudest achievement was her Emotional 911 Painting “Lest We Forget” that traveled around the world with the “Missing Exhibit”! When asked in the last few years if she had any regrets, she stated with a smile she had none and said “I’ve Loved, Laughed, Danced all over the world How Lucky am I that through it all to be Truly Blessed”!
Those fortunate enough to know and Love her, knew she was Passionate in Everything She Did, was Loyal to a fault and wore her Heart on her sleeve, which lives on in everyone she touched! Brenda is survived by her Children Donald Begg, Amber Fruchey, (Husband Jonathan), Doug Geneau, (wife Nadine), Rick Geneau, Grandchildren Dawn Marie Elliott, (Husband Joe), Emily Begg, (Fiancé Samuel), Tanner Begg, Great Grandchildren Alyssa, Aubree, Gunnar, Cooper and Oakland. Brenda rejoins in Heaven Family and Friends, Especially her Husband Jerry Geneau, Son James Robert”Jimmy” & Grandson James Eric.
A Private Memorial service will be held on March 7th, followed by her burial. The service may be available online and you can reach Amber at (805) 509-8214 for more information, A special Celebration of Life with be announced & held at a later date. In Lieu of flowers please consider Donating in Brenda’s name to the Santa Barbara Art Association “SBAA P.O Box 61642 Santa Barbara, CA 93106, Jacqui Bravo 805-963-1026
A Special Event will Feature a full upstairs wall of Brenda’s watercolor paintings for viewing and purchasing during May & June 2026 Only! We invite you to spend time Honoring Brenda by visiting Gallery 113 located at 1114 State Street #8 in downtown Santa Barbara, CA!
