Brenda "Ganny" Romero

Brenda Sue “Ganny” (Lawrence) Romero, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2025. She was surrounded by her husband, children, and grandchildren. Brenda was born on July 13, 1945, in Eupora, Mississippi, as the youngest child and only daughter of Olivia and Charles Lawrence. Her family later moved to Houston, Texas, where she graduated from Cypress-Fairbanks High School in Cypress, Texas. A cheerleader with a bright and spirited heart, Brenda carried that same energy and warmth throughout her life.

She was the beloved wife of Nicholas “Nick" Romero, Jr. and a proud and devoted mother to Daniel Shapiro and wife Aimee, David Shapiro and wife Eugena, and Mary Shapiro. She was also a loving stepmother to Melissa Lewis, Angela Bueche and husband Chad. Lovingly known as “Ganny,” she cherished her grandchildren: Jacob Shapiro, Chase Baldwin, Ali Miller, Samuel Shapiro, Laci Baldwin, Joe Shapiro, Emily Shapiro, Kaitlyn Shapiro, Grant Shapiro, Sophie Shapiro, and great-grandson, Maxwell Miller. She shared with them her love of nature, creativity, and what it means to love with her whole heart, through laughter and art.

Kind and full of life, Brenda had a gift for bringing beauty into the everyday. She loved to play the piano and was a passionate fisherman who found joy in the outdoors. As a talented artist, she expressed this through her art. Her work, ranging from oils to watercolors, appeared not only on canvas but any surface that inspired her, including wooden duck decoys and driftwood she and Nick collected from Louisiana bayous. Her favorite subjects—fish, ducks, flowers, dogs, and more—reflected her deep connection to the natural world. Brenda’s dream of having her own art studio in her home on the water and amongst the trees was fulfilled. In this peaceful space filled with brushes, driftwood, fabrics, craft supplies, Paw Paw’s woodwork, and photos, sketches, and clippings of inspirations, she experimented with different media and painted countless pieces, sharing them with her family and friends. Her art was made available to the public through her own small business and contributions of her works to Ducks Unlimited.

Brenda loved to dance and have fun socializing with friends and family. During the years she and Nick lived in Bayou Corne, the two hosted countless Mardi Gras celebrations that were lively, music-filled “happenings,” with food, laughter, friends and loved ones.

She had a servant’s heart, a sharp wit, an infectious laugh, and a deep, abiding love for the people in her life. Brenda brought light, silliness, creativity, and comfort wherever she went, and her presence, along with her many famous recipes including everyone’s favorite dessert, “Mississippi Mud,” will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her spirit lives on in every brushstroke, laugh around the table, and recipe. She lives on in the hearts of her friends, family, and grandchildren who all carry her joy forward.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 9:00 a.m. A reception will follow.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com