Brenda Mary Finucane

Brenda Mary Finucane, age 87, of Plainville, Kansas, formerly of Joliet, Illinois, passed away Monday, September 21, 2026, at Wilson Care and Rehabilitation Center in Wilson, Kansas.

She was born February 13, 1939, in Manhattan, New York, to James Finucane and Mary (Ward) Finucane.

On February 13, 1965, Brenda married Ron Billinger in Joliet, Illinois. They later divorced, and Brenda returned to her maiden name, Finucane. Ron passed away on November 16, 2003.

She grew up in Joliet, Illinois, outside Chicago, where she developed the close family bonds, lifelong friendships and love of music and dancing that would remain with her throughout her life. Brenda moved from Illinois to Kansas in 1990.

Brenda loved all kinds of music and dancing, and her favorite dance partner was her younger brother, Jimmy. In 1957, the brother-and-sister duo won an American Bandstand dance competition, creating a memory that would become part of their family’s story.

Brenda’s life revolved around her family and her friendships. She had a powerful ability to connect with people. From her close-knit family growing up in Joliet and her mother’s beauty salon customers, to the sick patients she cared for during her years as a CNA, the young people she gossiped with at Sykes call center until she retired, the ladies she hosted for tea and coffee in Plainville, and the lifelong pen pals she kept close through countless cards and letters over the decades. Brenda had a way of making people feel connected, remembered and loved.

Most importantly, she loved each of her four children fiercely and appreciated each of them for who they were. In return, they honored her by becoming her caregivers, surrounding her with love and devotion until her very last moments. Her life was intertwined with the lives of those she cared for, as intricately as the stitches of a quilt. Her legacy will live on through the generations of her family, the friendships she nurtured and the countless lives she touched. She will be remembered as a classy Irish lass, a generous hostess and a true matriarch.

Brenda is survived by her four children, Mary Copeland and husband, Christopher; Michael James Billinger; Maureen Billinger; and Monica Billinger Stecklein; her grandchildren, Taryn Leiker and husband, James; Lexi Glassman and husband, Anthony; Skylar Stecklein and Jailen Plummer; and Journey Billinger; her great-grandchildren, Reece Leiker; Channing Leiker; Teddy Glassman; Salem Stecklein and Athena Smith; her younger brother, James “Jimmy” Finucane, and wife, Pam; her nephews and nieces, Shannon Fassett and husband, Brian; James Finucane Jr.; Chance Finucane and wife, Anessa; her great nephews, Anthony Fassett and Rory Finucane; her great niece Madeleine Fassett; her cousin, Patrick Ward and family; and well as the families of her late cousins, Christopher Ward and Michael Ward.

Brenda is preceded in death by her parents; James and Mary Finucane; her cousins, Christopher Ward, in 2022, and Michael Ward, in 2018.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held November 1, 2026, in Hays, Kansas. The time and location to be announced. Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.

A private family inurnment will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery of the Diocese of Joliet in Joliet, Illinois at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a memorial made payable to: A Different Mindset Association.

Condolences may be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left in the online guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com