Leadership

Brenda Kirby, longtime University secretary, dies at 79

Kirby worked in the Chancellor’s Office for 32 years, serving six chancellors.

By University Communications , Monday, July 15th, 2024

Brenda Kirby seated next to table with a lamp on her left. — Brenda Kirby was gifted a chair and lamp upon her retirement after working in the UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor's office for 32 years. (University Communications)

Brenda Kirby, an indispensable part of the chancellor’s office and University at large for more than three decades, died peacefully on July 2 surrounded by family. She was 79.

Kirby, a Chapel Hill native, served as assistant to the chancellor, secretary of the University and assistant secretary for the Board of Trustees for 32 years. She retired in 2012 after working with six chancellors, 25 chairs of the Board of Trustees and 32 student body presidents.

Her work earned her both a 1996 C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes unusual, meritorious or superior contributions by University employees, and a 2010 Distinguished Service Medal Citation, awarded by Carolina Alumni.

After her retirement in 2012, she volunteered her time to help cancer patients and their families at the N.C. Basnight Cancer Hospital.

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