Obituaries

BROOKS, Louise

E. Louise Brooks (nee LaBerge) passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at the age of 89. Her loving husband Bob was by her side as he had always been for the last 68 years. She was born in Rossland, BC on February 22, 1930 and lived there for the first 17 years of her life. Her early years were clouded with the loss of her older brother of two years when she was 7 and then again by the loss of her father two years later. Life after that was understandably more difficult as she became the eldest of a younger brother and sister and her mother relied on her a lot to take on responsibilities such as shovelling snow, not just off the sidewalk, but the steep roof as well. Doing the shopping and helping with other household chores were also expected. Even though life at home was busy, she had many friends, loved school, skiing up and down the streets as well as up, down and around Red Mountain, picking huckleberries, and even managing a bit of babysitting to make a little money. She loved swimming and had a summer job as life guard of the local swimming pool.
In 1947 her mother remarried and the family was moved to Wynndel to an undeveloped 14 acre parcel of land that eventually became a thriving hobby farm of fruit trees, raspberries and strawberries. Life changed again with the addition of a new brother, farm work, no nearby friends and having to be bussed into nearby Creston to complete her grade 12. She graduated in 1948 from the local high school with honours and was the class valedictorian as well. Bookkeeping became her specialty and she eventually got herself a job with a highway road construction company. This is where she met her future husband Bob and became the beginning of their 68 year love story.
Louise and Bob were married September 3, 1950. Bob worked many areas of British Columbia, so they were not in one place for long. Children started arriving in 1953 and they purchased a part of the Wynndel property, building a house and living there until 1959. With now four children and a husband who was not home for long periods of time, Louise had had enough of farm life. Bob was working steady in Kelowna with the building of

Condolence Messages

Apr 25, 2019
Janet, Mark and family,
So sorry for the loss of your mother. She sounds like she was an amazing woman and I now know where you get your strength from, Janet. Take care.
Our love and prayers, Sue and Rob
Apr 23, 2019
Bob and family the Kelowna Badminton Club is sorry to hear of the passing of Louise. On behalf of the membership past and present our condolences.
KBC Executive
Apr 22, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Domenic and Lina Rampone
Apr 21, 2019
Bob, you have my sympathy because I know the feeling, however we can both be thankful we were so fortunate to have such a wonderful partner. Harold Hamel.
Apr 20, 2019
Bob and family, we were so sorry to hear of Louises' passing. You both were so wonderful to us and we have many fond memories of fishing trips with you two! She will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill & Dee Hogaboam
Apr 19, 2019
Fondly remembering Louise as we sat on blankets, benches or bleachers watching
kids play team sports for all those years.
Many hugs to all.
Gladys Retzlaff and families
Apr 19, 2019
Please accept our deepest condolences to you and all the family Bob.
Don and Carol Schmidt
Apr 18, 2019
Bob and family,
My heart is broken for all of you. I remember how much fun we had with her on our Jamaican Holidays. Louise was loved and respected by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Just know how much we care.
Wayne and Ardie
Apr 18, 2019
Bob, I am so sorry to hear of Louise's passing. My Mom and Dad (Faye and John) had spent many happy days with you and Louise on Thacker Drive.
Our thoughts are with you,
Dirk and Candy Van Hees
Apr 18, 2019
Bob and family,
Sorry to hear of Louise's passing. We had many a good time with both of you in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Louise was a wonderful person.
Marie and Barrie
Apr 18, 2019
Grandma, we love you very much. This is such a wonderful story about a wonderful lady. Feeling an empty space now in our hearts but we know it actually is still full with so many great memories that will last the rest our lives. You will forever be missed and loved by all.
Love Brooke, Casey, Carter and Hannah xoxoxo
Apr 18, 2019
So many things come to mind when I think of Louise. My brother Bob brought her home to Mitchell, Ont., in 1950 after they had married, to meet Charlie and Lizzie Brooks, Bob's mom and dad. I was one of four of his sisters, and was about 9 years old. I was shy with her, but not for long, because she was so down to earth and approachable. I have a memory of her making me a birthday cake, not something that was necessarily always done in our house. I don't know if it was during that visit or another. My sister Donna says they first visited in winter so that was not the time of my birthday. At any rate, I know I was thrilled and delighted to be the object of such an honour!
Because we lived thousands of miles apart throughout our lives, our visits were infrequent, and the ones I remember best now are from times spent with my sister Charlene visiting Bob and Louise in Sooke, and in Arizona, while they were living in their various trailers and Louise bombing around in her compact kitchen whipping up marvelous meals for everyone. She baked wonderful bread and while I sat in awe as she brought those loaves out of the oven, she pooh-poohed her skills. She also cooked a mean batch of breaded fish balls, dismissing this act as nothing at all, too.
She had a wonderful laugh and it always made me happy to think I had induced it down the phone line, making me feel as if she was right here. She loved the little grandkids and great grandkids, and just giggled forever at their antics.
I know she liked the idea of having Betty, Donna, Charlene and me, Kathleen, as sisters, and she always let me know she loved me. And we loved her back, always grateful for a long talk, usually about everyday stuff, but important to keep the link.
I know her presence in Bob's life was immeasurable and cherished, and we Eastern Brooks' will miss her but at the same time be grateful for having her in our lives for so long.
Rest In Peace, Louise. I hope there are many angels that make you giggle.
Love, Kathleen
Apr 17, 2019
Dear Bob and family. So sorry to hear of Louise's death. We had many good times and bridge games together. Love to all. Lois Hammill
Apr 17, 2019
My deepest condolences to the entire Brooks family, Bob my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Darren McClelland
Apr 17, 2019
Deepest Sympathy to all. May your memories give you warms smiles and grateful hearts.
- Suzanne Pierlot
Apr 17, 2019
A beautiful tribute to your Mom, Janet. Condolences to you and your family. Hold those memories close to your heart.
Much love,
Janine Goodall
Apr 17, 2019
Bob, Janet, Brian, Donnie and Families,
My deepest sympathies to all the families. Our families grow up together- Louise & I were very close- Life took us down different paths but our hearts were always close.
All our love, Mary Welder and Family
Apr 17, 2019
A beautiful obituary for a beautiful lady! She was loved by so many, and it is a huge loss for the whole family.
Sending my love to all.
Love, Aunty Pam xoxoxo
Apr 17, 2019
Love you Gramma. We will all miss you every single day.
We are so sorry Papa, to lose the love of your life. You'll have to make us all your hot cakes now!
All our Love
Maggie, Brant, Sydney & Payton