Virginia Louise Brooks

Virginia "Ginny" Brooks Virginia Louise Brooks, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother left us on Friday, September 11, 2015 following complications from a tragic car accident. She was 88 years old. She was born August 27, 1927 in Hazard, Kentucky to Joe & Della Francis. The family relocated to Denver, Colorado to find work. Mother attended South High School and, during those years, worked often as a model. She later attended the University of Denver, where she was a sorority sister in Phi Delta Kappa. She met her best friend and husband, James Lester Brooks in a university square dance club, and he soon proposed to her with a moonlight guitar and song serenade. They were married June 5, 1947 in Denver. Late the following year, they moved to Kirkland, Washington with their first child, where Dad attended the University of Washington and later, began his teaching career. Three more children would follow. In 1950, "Jim and Ginny" built "The Hayloft" in Alderwood Manor, Washington, near Lynnwood. They enjoyed a successful square dance teaching business from 1950 to 1967 and made many life-long friends. They are credited with the invention of the "round dance" and were invited to travel extensively in the U.S. and Canada as instructors at many square dance clubs, camps, fairs and festivals. In 1967, the family moved to Vancouver, Washington, where Dad worked as a school district administrator and Mother (with their eldest daughter, Kim) operated a pre-school known as Pixie Cottage in Hazel Dell. Upon Dad's retirement, they joined their many "snow bird" friends in sunny Mesa, Arizona, where they lived a happy, active lifestyle. Mother loved her family and, as a wonderful example and constant teacher, instilled in them all the important attributes needed to also become good and loving spouses, parents, grandparents and citizens. She enjoyed dancing, bowling, traveling and camping (including a nation-wide trip in a station wagon and pop-up camper with four kids in the summer of 1962). She is survived by her devoted husband of 68 years, James; daughters Kimberlee Burnett (spouse, Ken Burnett) of Vancouver, Washington, Kathryn Brooks of Shelton, Washington, and sons James (spouse, Su Brooks) and Jack (spouse, Melissa Brooks), both of Vancouver, Washington. She also leaves her 9 precious grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held in her honor this Thursday at Evergreen Memorial Gardens (1101 NE 112th Ave., Vancouver) at 3:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the same venue. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make donations in our Mother's name to either The American Cancer Society or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Virginia Louise Brooks

August 27, 1927 - September 11, 2015