Obituary of Jacqueline "Jackie" Lou Brooks

Obituary Jacqueline L. Brooks passed away peacefully on Nov. 14th, 2021. She was born in Astoria, Oregon on July 2nd, 1925 to her parents Jack and Josephine Munson. Her parents moved to Santa Ana, California where she spent her summers at her favorite beach, Corona del Mar, where she and her brother Jerry spent every possible moment surfing and sunning, Their favorite places included the Rendezvous Ballroom where they spent as much time as possible listening to and dancing to the most famous Big Bands of the era. As a young adult Jackie wanted to become an airplane pilot, and studied courses in aeronautics, physics, higher math and drafting. After the attack on Pearl Harbor she tried to enlist in the WAFS to pursue flight training, but her application was declined because she was not yet 21 years old and had no private pilot’s license. So, she applied her training by working at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, CA in their template department. She was a spotter for enemy planes in Los Angeles during World War II. In 1941 Jackie met Jackson Brooks while working at JC Penney’s in Santa Ana, CA where he worked as the display manager. Jack and Jackie fell in love and were married in Orange, CA on August 30th, 1943. Jackie spent the next 12 years of her life raising 4 children and being a homemaker. In addition to her role as wife and mother she was a Sunday School teacher and choir member. She loved to garden and raised tropical birds in an outdoor aviary. She enjoyed teaching her kids to swim and to sing. In 1955 Jack & Jackie moved their 4 children to Fort Collins, CO where Jack and his brother Brownie founded ExcellArt Advertising; the first electric sign company in Northern Colorado. Although she missed the beaches and the ocean, she fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. She loved trout fishing, picnics, tent camping, and vacationing in the mountains. She taught beginner’s swimming for the Fort Collins Rec Dept at the only pool in town (City Park) which was unheated in those days. She dubbed her swimming class of young boys her “blue boys”. They joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church (now Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church) where she served as choir director for 15 years. She recruited her husband Jack and all four of her children as choir members and taught the high school aged Sunday School class. She was a Scout Leader and volunteered as her kids advanced through Campfire Girls, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts. She became active in the League of Women Voters in Fort Collins, and served as their Chairman of fundraising, and later served as Voter Service Chairman for Larimer County. She loved to golf and was active in the Fort Collins Country Club women’s golf association. Jackie is preceded in death by her husband, Jackson, her parents, her brother Jerry and her sister Betty Anne. She is survived by her children; Robin Foss, Barbara (Tom) Haynie, Jennifer Brooks, and Brian (JoAnn) Brooks, as well as 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Jackie was much loved by her extended family including many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Her life was an example of strong faith, love of the natural world, and commitment to her family. She will be sorely missed by family and her many friends. Memorial Service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, May 20th 2022 at 11am In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Jackie's name. Services Memorial Service Friday May 20, 2022 11:00 AM Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 1200 S. Taft Hill Rd Fort Collins, CO 80521