Barbara Brandenburg Brenner, 97, passed from this world to begin a new adventure on September 15, 2026. A lifelong resident of Taos, Barbara was born in Santa Fe on August 3, 1929 to her parents J.P. (Jack) and Dorothy (Berninghaus) Brandenburg. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John M. Brenner, and her younger sister Marcia.

Barbara filled her years devoted to the town and community she loved. She served on the boards of Taos Historic Museums, the Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos Art Association, Taos Opera Guild, and the Taos County Chamber of Commerce. She was a dedicated Girl Scout leader, working every summer with her troop in the 1960s to manage the Chamber of Commerce’s “information booth” at the Taos Plaza. She also worked with the Taos Student Repertory Company, and in 1975, she was a founding member of the Taos Fall Arts Festival, serving on the committee for more than 20 years.

Barbara was the granddaughter of noted artist Oscar E. Berninghaus and grew up in Taos surrounded by early members of the Taos Society of Artists. She began researching and cataloging her grandfather’s work in the 1970s, publishing a book on his art and life in 1985. She continued to work throughout her life researching and documenting the Berninghaus Archives, which have been given to The Couse Foundation’s Lunder Research Center.

In her youth, Barbara was an excellent horsewoman and enjoyed pack trips with her parents and friends in the mountains around Taos. She attended Taos Elementary School, the Brownmoor School, and graduated with a B.A. from Colorado College. During her school years she was active on the tennis team and continued with her love of horses. In her later years, she took up golf at the original Taos Country Club, claiming the title of Women’s Club Champion more than once. Fly fishing, however, was her great love and her last fishing trip was up the Costilla at age 93.

She is survived by her daughters Marcia Winter and Anne Brenner (Cortney E. Stewart), her grandsons Wyatt Winter and Peter Winter (Dori), two great-grandsons Nathan and Miles, and former son-in-law Fred E. Winter.

She has requested no service be held and welcomes contributions to the Taos Community Foundation (www.taoscf.com) or the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.

The family wishes to thank Red Willow Hospice and Rivera Funeral Home for their kindness and assistance.