Lorraine Alberta Brooks (née Dease)

Lorraine was born in Turner Valley, Alberta, on February 4, 1939, to Mary and William Dease. She began her life’s journey in Royalties, Alberta, as the baby of the family with seven older siblings. She idolized her three big brothers, Lloyd, Cleo, and Norman, and adored her big sisters, Beverly, Audrey, Doreen, and Ruby. Lorraine was doted on by her older siblings, and she cherished those memories. Lorraine’s devotion to family was evident from the beginning of her story. She learned the value of hard work and discovered that the foundation of family was the key element in resilience through hard times.

Lorraine attended school in Royalties until Grade 8, when she and her mom moved to Calgary, where Lorraine finished junior high at Rideau Park School. During her high school years, she lived with her sister Ruby while attending Western Canada High School.

Lorraine began working at Royalite Oil at 18 years of age as a clerk typist and worked her way up to a graphotype operator. She met her future husband, William (Bill) Brooks, who also worked for Royalite Oil, and they married on March 27, 1965.

The highlight of Lorraine’s life was having her daughter, Dawn (David Kungl) Scott. When Dawn began Grade 1 at Rosedale School, Lorraine began volunteering her time at the school and extended mothering duties to all of Dawn’s friends. Kids gravitated toward Lorraine’s open-door policy and warm welcome. She had a genuine interest in and love for kids. After multiple years of volunteering at Rosedale School, she was hired as a lunchroom supervisor and continued to care for and nurture hundreds of children through her years of service. Two of Dawn’s closest friends since Grade 1, Stephanie Graham, and Tyna Walker, always held a special place in Lorraine’s heart as they were like daughters to her.

Lorraine had a strong faith. She enjoyed attending church services and believed in the power of prayer. She had an immense appreciation for the simple things in life to stay happy. She spent hours singing, dancing, and playing cards and board games with family, friends, and neighbourhood kids.

Lorraine was diagnosed with MS in 1989 and had to go into long-term care in 2001 after a fall at home. Although the situation was not ideal, Lorraine still managed to smile and laugh. She had an amazing sense of humour and loved talking to people and joking with the staff. As Lorraine was very sociable, she enjoyed delivering mail to other residents and attending activities at Carewest Royal Park. She also loved to take part in outings when they were offered. She loved playing cards, watching movies (especially musicals and any movie starring her idol, Doris Day).

Two more spectacular highlights in Lorraine’s life were the birth of Dawn’s daughters, Delaine (Calvin) and Jaylene (Coletrane). Lorraine embraced their development, and this rejuvenated her soul and kept her spirit young. She passed along family values that she instilled in Dawn. Of course, having the ability to be kind, show compassion and love toward others, and laugh easily (even at herself), were some of her most important lessons.

Unfortunately, dementia began to set in over the last few years, and even though she wasn’t always in the present, she continued to smile and laugh and live her life the best that she could.

Keeping positive, having faith, persevering, and finding joy in life are part of Lorraine’s legacy.

We love you, Mom. We love you, Nana. Your memory will live on in our hearts. Rest in peace.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Carewest Royal Park for the many years of exceptional care, compassion, and devotion to the quality of life they provided, making Lorraine’s long-standing residency there the best it could be.