Brooks, Audrey Etta

Oct 10, 2007

Audrey Brooks died on Sunday, September 23, 2007 at her home on the East Road, Loring in her 87th year.

Audrey (Cotter) was predeceased by her husband John Alexander Brooks (1908-1992).

She was the loving mother of Gloria Wright (Ted) of Port Perry; Laurel Brooks of Loring; Reg Brooks (Cheryl) of Loring; Joyanne Brooks of Toronto; and Gary Brooks (Noreen) of Newmarket.

Audrey was the beloved grandmother of Deidre, Shannon, Jason, Marnie, Kristy, Ryan and Michael and great-grandmother of four. She is also survived by her sister Bessie Currie of Loring and was predeceased by her sister Marjorie Tuffy, and brothers Bill and Gordon Cotter.

Audrey was born in Sundridge on June 10, 1921, the youngest of five children of Henrietta (Adams) and Edward Cotter. When she was only two years old her mother died, and Audrey moved in with her Aunt Jane who raised her until her mid teens. At around age 15, she moved to Restoule to join her family and later worked in her father’s logging camps and mill. It was at one of these camps that she met John Brooks. Their wedding on September 11, 1940 was followed by a move to the Niagara Falls area where John worked at a plant in Thorold.

After the war Audrey and John and their two small daughters moved to their farm on the East Road in Spring Creek. Here Audrey was busy raising her five children and still found time to attend the Spring Creek Ladies Aid meetings and events. For a while she and John operated a bakery in town, with John making bread and Audrey producing all the pastries.

With John’s service in the Second World War, he became a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 415, and Audrey joined the Ladies Auxiliary of the legion. After John died in 1992 Audrey stayed on the farm alone for three years before her daughter Laurel moved in with her in 1995. This move allowed Audrey to stay in her home right until her death on September 23, 2007.

Although she was a very private person, Audrey contributed much to the Spring Creek and Loring community. Audrey had a great sense of humour and was always ready to participate in family fun. She was a shining example of a non-judgmental, caring person who lived a full and happy life.

A funeral service celebrating Audrey’s life was conducted by Rev. Lois Brown on Friday, September 28 at St. Andrew’s United Church, Port Loring. Mrs. Glenna Wilhelm was organist and congregational hymns were “Because He Lives” and “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” Special music was provided by Cathy Brooks, Dan Brooks and Darrin Johnson who played guitar and sang “Where I’m Bound:,” “Amazing Grace” and “I’ll Fly Away.”

The service began with granddaughter Shannon Quesnelle lighting a candle in memory of her grandfather, Audrey’s husband, John Brooks. Tributes were delivered by son-in-law Ted Wright, granddaughter Deidre Sperry and Rev. Brown, who read a composition by daughter-in-law Cheryl Brooks. Rev. Brown shared a favourite poem “I Dreamed of Heaven.”

Casket bearers were Ryan Brooks, Jason Sperry, Michael Sefchik, Mauro Rodrigues, Kristy Brooks and Marnie Brooks. Interment took place at Port Loring Cemetery.
Following the committal service, the Brooks family welcomed relatives and friends for a time of fellowship at St. Andrew’s United Church, where the United Church Women had prepared a luncheon.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Paul Funeral Home, Powassan. To make a donation in memory of Mrs. Brooks, or to request a memory card, please call their office at 705-724-2024.