Brenda Joyce Sweeney

Family and friends of Brenda Joyce Sweeney, age 69, are mourning her passing which occurred on February 26, 2024. Born on February 17, 1955, to the late Cleveland and Anita Jacobs, Brenda grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland. 

She received her B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Maryland. While working in the pharmaceutical industry in Baltimore, Brenda met her husband, Daniel Sweeney, and they married in August, 1983. Relocating to Indianapolis in 1988, she returned to work once her children were school-age and enjoyed a successful career as a chemist at both AIT Laboratories and Heritage Environmental Services. 

Brenda was a member of, and frequent visitor to, the Jordan YMCA which kept her fit so that she could enjoy long cycling trips with Dan and lengthy walks with friends in the neighborhood. She served as an Elder and Deacon at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and was a long-standing member of that congregation. In addition, she volunteered as a life skills coach at Circles, teaching an underserved population the practical knowledge they would need to find success. 

With a passion for travel, both nationally and internationally, Brenda explored countries and cultures all over the world, touring with family and friends. Memorable trips included visits to Costa Rica, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Spain, and Brazil. Nothing was more important than family and friends in Brenda’s life and she made that clear by always being available for those that needed her. She was intensely proud of the accomplishments of her daughters and was delighted whenever she was in the presence of her grandchildren. 

Those that survive her include her husband Daniel, her daughter Elizabeth Sweeney (Yasir Demiryurek,) Kelly Donaldson (Ben Donaldson,) her sister Gail Higginbotham (Robert Higginbotham,) and grandchildren, Weber and Lily Donaldson. 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 8 at 11 a.m., at Flanner Buchanan–Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution in Brenda’s name to Doctors Without Borders