Whenever Brenda Surkund first met someone, she demanded to know that person’s birthday. Then, without hesitation, she’d rattle off the day of the week they first arrived in the world.
It was impressive.
Surkund’s mind worked in mysterious ways. The 47-year-old could recall in precise detail seemingly ordinary events from throughout her life.
According to her family, she’d been diagnosed with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), giving her the unusual ability.
But around 5:15 p.m. on Nov. 18, Surkund was struck and killed by a vehicle while she walked down Bank Street south of Parkway Road in Greely where she’d been visiting her longtime special needs worker.
Ottawa police are still investigating the fatal collision.
“I was just devastated,” said Surkund’s friend Amanda Neville. “She loved walking, she loved being independent. And it’s something she does all the time, and we all let her.”
Neville regrets not giving Surkund a hug the last time she saw her.
“She didn’t really like hugs and touching, but she would let me give her hugs.”
Surkund was living with her mom at the time of her death, but over the years she also spent time in group homes. She loved Minnie Mouse, Care Bears and the colour pink.
“She talked to everybody she met, and because she’s so cute and knows how to get attention,” said her mother, Erika Trommershausen, 75, from the steps of the family home in Ottawa.
“She’s just everything to me,” said Trommershausen. “I wouldn’t have lived well without her.”
Surkund’s older brother Michael lost his sister, but also her memory vault.
“She remembers everything, like everything we did, all the pranks we did, all the kids stuff we did,” he said. “I lost my memories of my life, pretty much.”
Surkund also loved giving gifts. In fact, she’d already started putting together presents for Christmas this year and was hiding them under her bed.
The family recently held a celebration of life for Surkund and was surprised by how many people showed up.
“We’ve learned in this process that Brenda was a lot more to a lot more people than she was just to us,” said Neville. “So many people knew her and loved her. It was very humbling and it was good. We think Brenda would have absolutely loved it.”
