Hiroko Kobayashi Brooks

Hiroko Kobayashi Brooks completed her earthly journey at Cape Fear Valley Hospital, passing peacefully and gently, the way only a soul full of grace can transition. Born in Japan on June 24, 1934, Hiroko carried within her the ancient strength of her homeland — a quiet power, a warrior’s heart, and a spirit that refused to dim no matter what life asked of her.

As a young woman, she crossed an ocean guided by courage, faith, and the whisper of a life she knew she was meant to create. She didn’t just arrive — she transformed. She rebuilt. She rose. And in doing so, she taught her family what resilience looks like when it’s wrapped in love.

Hiroko lived a triumphant life: rich in lessons, overflowing with compassion, and grounded in a spiritual presence that touched everyone around her. Her laughter, her wisdom, her calming energy — these were her gifts to the world, and they live on in the people she shaped.

She is survived by her devoted husband, EJ Brooks, her children Jason Brooks, Mike Russo, and Deena Perillo (Paul Perillo), each forever guided by the strength she placed in them.

Her legacy expands through her grandchildren — Kaiya Brooks, Jordan Brooks, Tony Perillo, Vincent Perillo, and Gina Montague (Matthew Montague) — and her great-granddaughter, Olive Montague, a little light carrying Hiroko’s spirit into a new generation.

Hiroko’s journey was extraordinary. A life that crossed continents. A heart that broke and healed. A spirit that grew deeper, wiser, and more radiant with time. She lived with intention, she loved without limits, and she carried a strength that could only come from the soul.

Her transition is not an ending — it is an ascension. A return to peace. A return to light.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, where family and friends will gather to honor Hiroko’s memory, her spirit, and the incredible journey she walked. It will be a space not of sorrow, but of gratitude — a moment to remember the beauty she carried and the love she leaves behind.

Hiroko’s story continues in every life she touched, every heart she healed, and every ounce of hope she planted in the world.

Her legacy is eternal.

Her love is eternal.

Her spirit is eternal.