Brenda (Brandt) Saltamacchio

Brenda Brandt Saltamacchio, age 79, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, September 15, 2021. Living in Eatonton, GA she passed at home in the arms of her loving husband. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be greatly missed.

She was born on March 6, 1942, in New Orleans, LA to the late Joseph Emile Brandt and Mary Louise Nastase “Marie” Brandt both of New Orleans. Brenda attended an all girls Catholic Elementary School but it was not till she moved up to the coed High School that her light really began to shine. She was a graduate of Francis T. Nichols High School, where she was the “Homecoming Queen” and awarded the title of “Most Popular Girl”.  She even won the title “Most Ideal Girl” in a contest between the city’s schools. Loving sports Brenda worked with the school newspaper “The Rebel Yell” covering and writing the sports articles. 
Brenda moved to Lake Oconee from Alpharetta, GA in 2001 to continue building Custom Swimming Pools and it was here she met the love of her life. On August 6, 2004 she married Ray Saltamacchio whom she was married to for 17 years at the time of her death.  They enjoyed 20 wonderful years together as soulmates.

Brenda was co-owner and business manager of Saltamacchio’s Karate School working alongside her husband until retiring in 2016.  Brenda enjoyed several careers after raising her family, but none made her as happy as her passion for designing and building Custom Swimming Pools which she did for 25 years. Brenda was lovingly known in the Lake Oconee Community as “The Pool Lady”. 

Brenda loved spending time with family, celebrations, dancing, watching sports and helping those around her enjoy life. If there was a party, she was sure to put on a show effortlessly making everyone laugh. If there was music and an opportunity to dance, she was there, dancing the night away with her husband Ray. Brenda also loved to watch sports especially her beloved Atlanta Braves being the die-hard fan that she was never missing a game if possible. Second only to baseball was her love for the Georgia Bulldogs. When younger she also volunteered at the hospital as a “Candy Striper” bringing hope and joy to the patients. As a young girl you might even hear her dedicating a song and singing it to her “boyfriend” on a Saturday morning at the local radio station. Brenda had a close relationship with God and had been attending LakePoint Community Church at the time of her death.

“Her infectious smile will shine through the clouds and continue to light our day, and at night it will be the glow of the moon she will use to show her presence”

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Mary Louise “Marie” Brandt, and her stepson Jeffrey Saltamacchio.  She is survived by her husband, Ray Saltamacchio of Eatonton, GA; two daughters, Dawn NeSmith (Danny) of Alpharetta, GA and Stacy Hembree (Brian) of Winder, GA; two sons, Pete Freeman (Lee Anne) of Alpharetta, GA and (stepson) Ryan Saltamacchio (Heather) of Loganville, GA; brother, David E. Brandt of Belmont, NC; 8 grandchildren: Christopher NeSmith, Brandt Freeman (Rebecca), Madison Freeman (Ryan), McClain Suttles (Cason), Avery Lucas, Noah Lucas, Makayla Saltamacchio and Lauren Saltamacchio; 1 great grandchild, Graycen Laine; and many other relatives and friends.  She is also survived by her beloved Shih Tzu, Samie.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held, Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at McCommons Chapel, 109 W. Broad Street, Greensboro, GA 30642 with Rev. Michael Wells officiating.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (cholangiocarcinoma.org) in Brenda’s memory.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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