Mary Lucille Brooks

Born in Ames, Iowa, on July 23, 1936 at Mary Greeley Hospital. Parents were Steve and Lucille Brooks.Raised on a farm in the Napier Community where I graduated from Napier High School. I attendedCornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, before transferring to Eastern New Mexico University where Ireceived a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and a Master of Arts Degree in Music. While attendingENMU I was a member of Tau Beta Sigma, a national organization for Band Women. I served as NationalSecretary and became National President of that group, serving in that office for 2 years. I taughtelementary music in Seagraves, Texas, and Artesia, New Mexico, before getting my first High SchoolMusic job in Kirtland, New Mexico. During my 15 years teaching there I taught Jr. High and High SchoolBand and Choir. I also sponsored the Native American Club, and the H.S. Cheerleaders. In 2005, I washonored by the Kirtland Central School District, by having the new Performing Arts Center at that schoolin Kirtland named The Brooks- Isham Performing Arts Center. This is along with my good friend, JanetIsham, the Band Director that followed me. My love for that part of the country was very dear to myheart. I loved the Indian students and parents and have spent many hours on the Navajo Reservationvisiting and vacationing. I continued my teaching in Gallup, NM, where I was a High School choirdirector, Drama Coach, and English teacher. In both Farmington and Gallup I was very involved withLittle Theater work both as an actress and director. Upon moving to Arizona City, I became involved withFirst Presbyterian Church in Casa Grande where I sang in the choir, directed the church choir, started theHand Bell choirs and directed at least one of those groups for 21 years. I also was a staff member as theWorship Director for First Presbyterian, a position I held for over 10 years. While living in Arizona I havealso worked for the Arizona City Club, the Arizona City Chamber of Commerce and served on thegoverning boards of the Arizona City Club, the Pinal County Development Board, and for 23 years was apart of the Pinal County Town Hall Planning Committee. I have also been a member of the CentralArizona College Concert Band and the CAC Hand Bell Choir since coming to Arizona. Besides my parents Iam preceded in death by brothers, Richard and Howard Brooks, and sisters, Bette Hawk and MarjorieGrouwinkel Nooteboom, and two nephews, Ron Hawk and Rick Grouwinkel. I am survived by a sister,Janice Miller of Hermosa Beach, California, 11 nieces and nephews, and many great and great, greatnieces and nephew. Memorial Donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church Bell Choir, or EasternNew Mexico University, Floren Thompson Band Scholarship Fund.