Brenda L. Haraldstad

Brenda Haraldstad, a successful business executive, devoted family member and loyal friend to many, passed away on January 23, 2026. Brenda, who was 62, lived with terminal brain cancer for the past few years.

She grew up in Brockton, MA, the first-born daughter of Robert and Donna Haraldstad, and graduated from Brockton High School in 1981. “I became involved with accounting at my first job, in the Inventory Accounting Department at Stop & Shop,” Brenda recalls. “I liked the fact that we were literally accounting for every dollar, and there were rules that applied to where dollars belonged. It was my introduction to office corporate culture.”

After obtaining a degree in business administration from Boston College, Brenda began working at Standard Parking in 1997 as Regional Accounting Supervisor. This was her introduction to commercial real estate; she quickly impressed her colleagues and made good friends.

“I met Brenda when we both worked at Standard Parking,” recalls Danielle Hyden. “The company was implementing a new accounting system, and Brenda helped me. I saw how she worked hard and conducted herself with integrity. After she left to take another job, we stayed in touch; she became a sounding-board. Brenda has been very helpful to me.”

Her close circle of friends each describe Brenda’s boundless loyalty and energy. Kate Hoffman remembers taking her “usual walk” in East Boston when she saw a blonde woman hitting tennis balls solo off a wall at the tennis court. “I said ‘you’re almost as bad at hitting balls as I am; we should play together.’ We did. From the minute we met, Brenda and I did everything together: went out to eat, went shopping and had so much fun laughing constantly.”

After working at Insignia/ESG, Brenda began the first of several positions at Equity Office Properties, now EQ Office, which owns office properties throughout the country. Brenda’s responsibilities kept increasing. “It was satisfying work, because I like solving problems and making people’s lives better by improving processes and policies. I helped write and create EQ’s capital project forecasting program.” In 2021, Brenda was promoted to Vice President of Finance at EQ Office.

By this time, she had traveled to Spain, Argentina, throughout Europe and hiked through the Andes, Pyrenees and Appalachian Mountains. “Brenda, Danielle and I took a trip to Key West for Thanksgiving in 2003,” says Roseanne Bravman. “Later, Brenda and I went to Italy together, and there have been many long weekends in the Berkshires. We also began a tradition of celebrating each other’s birthdays, which then became quarterly dinners.”

Brenda’s work ethic and devotion to her friends is matched by her loyalty to her family—and her willingness to provide help and support. “We’ve seen Brenda step in and step up,” Roseanne notes.

“I would describe my niece, Brenda, as I think she would like to be remembered—as someone who walked the walk,” says Robert Lewis, her uncle. “If she loved you, she was there for you—period. She loved to laugh but could become the serious eye of the storm, someone who calmly dealt with the problems of those she loved. Brenda will be remembered for her wisdom and her genuine kindness.”

When she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in January 2023, Brenda showed no signs of self-pity despite having received an exceedingly difficult diagnosis. “Brenda made sure she was knowledgeable by researching the subject so that she could communicate with her physicians,” Danielle observes. “She’s had to make tough decisions about her treatment.”

During covid, Brenda moved to Bourne, where her love of the outdoors led her to create a sumptuous garden in a yard where she hosted many gatherings. The admiration her friends and family members have for her has grown. “From the time I met Brenda, there was the great smile and the welcoming attitude,” says Natalia Harthorne. “Brenda has always been very good at making sure we are having great interactions around a happy table, with wine and good food. We’re the beneficiaries of that energy she has.”

Brenda’s biggest love, besides her friends and traveling, was by far her cherished nephew Michael Robert and his amazing daughter Lillian Rene. She was so proud of Mikey and what an amazing dad he is. She was always calling and texting Michael to give him her “Pearls of Wisdom” and her financial advice, even up to the last day she could speak. When Mikey found out Brenda had cancer, he honored her with a "F*** Cancer" tattoo. Brenda of course loved it.

She loved taking Lilly on adventures like going to the fair and hopping on all the rides, going camping, mini-golfing, out for ice cream, and visiting the Alpaca farm near her house in Bourne. She also loved sleepovers and baking Christmas cookies with Lilly.   She loved spending time with Mike and Lilly more than anything else.

Brenda added a new front porch and back deck to her house in 2023 and she was able to enjoy them the last 2 summers, which made her so happy. Brenda and Sharon would sit on her back deck and she would tell her over and over and over what a great job she did with her back yard/house renovation. She would say '"I don't wanna break my arm patting myself on the back, but will ya look at this yard and how about the colors I chose for the deck and house". Brenda and Sharon had such a great summer, laughing, reminiscing, her complimenting her yard every 20 minutes, snacking, and of course more laughing. Brenda called Sharon her “Christmas present” because she was born just before Christmas.

They spent a lot of quality time together in Bourne over the past 3 years. During that time, Brenda did not complain once about anything she was going through. She was grateful for every day. She was grateful for the life she had lived. She was grateful for the Zoom call and her coworkers that extended her life for 3 more years. She did not spend one second feeling any self-pity. She made the best of every day, even under the worst of circumstances. Brenda was the bravest person her family knew.

Anyone that knows Brenda, knows one of her biggest brags was that she (thought) she could sing all the words to “Rappers Delight”, a song from the 80s. If you dared doubt her at all, she would sing it, on the spot, in its entirety. (Sharon still has second hand embarrassment)

We can't forget her favorite restaurant near her house, The Lobster Trap. Debbie, Brenda’s late sister, took Brenda there for the first time a while back, and Brenda never stopped going with anyone and everyone at any time.    

Brenda’s last birthday brought her close-knit group together around yet another happy table. “She doesn’t dwell on her problems,” Natalia notes. “At her birthday party, I forgot she had cancer. Brenda owned the room.” Brenda’s family and childhood friends also visited on her birthday, which was a great surprise.

Brenda leaves her sister Sharon Haraldstad, of Braintree; her nephew Michael Agresta, of Brockton; her great-niece Lillian Renee Agresta; her aunt Georgia Lewis Joyce; her uncle Robert Lewis (Laura); and many cousins. Her father Robert Haraldstad died in 2025; her mother Donna Haraldstad died in 2023; and her sister Debra Haraldstad died in 2021.

All are welcome to calling hours on Thurs., Feb. 5th from 4-7 p.m. and her funeral service on Fri., Feb. 6th at 12 noon at Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main Street, Brockton. Burial to be held in the spring at Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Donations can be made to Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445.  Or by calling 800-52-Jimmy (617 632 3019), or online at www.dana-farber.org/gift. Please include Brenda’s name, and those gifts will automatically be earmarked for Glioblastoma Research.

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