Gayle Meade Brooks, 63, died peacefully at home in Fall River on November 16, 2011, after a long illness. She was born in New York City, NY on August 14, 1948, and is a graduate of the Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, NY and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. After short term positions in the restaurant business and as an editor, she soon found her niche when she joined Creative Establishment, an audio/visual marketing company based in Chicago and soon became executive producer.
In 1995, she moved to Fall River with her father, John F. Brooks and remained here for the past 16 years. Her love of books and reading led her to a job editing training manuals and dissertations for doctoral candidates. Other passions included music, philosophy, poetry, literature, politics, nature, art, flying planes, swimming, water skiing, travel and maintaining a close circle of friends and family. She is survived by three sisters and a brother-in-law: Martha and David Peterson of Mattapoisett, MA, Susan Brooks of Fall River, MA and Leslie Brooks Pesante of Titusville, FL; two nephews: D. Meade Peterson and Ashby-John Pesante, niece: Sibyl Peterson; and great niece: Callie Faye Lemons Peterson. She is predeceased by her father, John F. Brooks and mother Jeane H. Brooks.
Ms. Brooks’ love of travel brought her to many places. One place in particular remains special to her: Glacier National Park, Montana where a private celebration of life will take place in 2012. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Visiting Nurses Association of Southeastern Massachusetts, 502 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA 02720. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Her friends have responded to her passing by sharing the following thoughts about Gayle:
As you know, she’s been battling various maladies for years, many of which were related to her muscular dystrophy. But through it all she maintained a remarkable spirit, with a sense of humor that amazed us. We were all lucky to have known her.
She certainly was elegance personified.
She was a trooper in all ways. Determined , brave, and always smiling despite everything she endured. Chi Chi Brooks will be remembered by us all.
When her ravaged body limited her physical activities Gayle just doubled down on her intellectual interests and her involvement with friends and other people whom she’d meet. A warmer friend you will rarely meet. Gayle was always concerned and interested in everyone's welfare. With her lightweight laptop on her lap lying on her bed or on her couch Gayle researched various esoteric topics, edited graduate school papers, communicated with friends, and exercised a curiosity of immense proportions. There were few topics in any field that did not peak her interest. Gayle was remarkable in so many ways. And, all of us who watched her suffer in silence knew that if we were in her shoes, there was no way that we could emulate her fierce determination to live life as fully, gracefully, and as valiantly as she did.