Marie Brooks

Marie Brooks passed away at her home in Bellevue, Washington, on August 31, 2023, just one day after celebrating her 87th birthday.

Born August 30, 1936, in White Plains, New York, to Thomas and Emily (nee Norman) Howard, Marie was raised an only child. She was a serious student and excelled in school. After graduating from White Plains High School, she continued her education at Western Reserve College in Ohio. Her enjoyment of learning and knack for languages led her to major in French and minor in Spanish at Western Reserve. After earning her undergraduate degree she pursued and obtained her Masters degree in Education from the College of the Allegheny in Pennsylvania.

Marie began her professional career at Seattle’s Wilson Junior High School, where she taught French and Spanish. In 1960 she and close colleague Dolores Booker (then Dolores Jones) were the first Black women hired to teach at that school.

Early in her career, Marie met and married Robert Brooks, who was also a teacher in the Seattle School District. The couple had one daughter, whom they named Renee.

Marie taught at Franklin High School, also in Seattle, before moving to Bellevue High, where she taught countless students until her retirement, with the exception of two short breaks in service: the first, for a semester sabbatical in France in 1976, and the second, later on, to serve as president of the Bellevue Education Association. She was the first Black woman to take the reins as BEA president. After retiring from teaching, she went on to work as a mediator for the Seattle Education Association.

It is well known that Marie never turned down an opportunity to serve. Her dedication to a lifetime of service may be best expressed by the words to her favorite hymn: Alma B. Androzzo’s “If I Can Help Somebody.” As part of the Mount Zion Baptist Church family in Seattle for more than 60 years, she was an integral participant in an amazing number of church ministries. She was part of the Harriet Tubman Circle, she served as a trustee, she was a member and past president of the Women’s Ministry, she sang in the Inspirational Choir, and she likely rescued many a church meeting by acting as parliamentarian.

A breast cancer survivor, herself, Marie was instrumental in getting the Mount Zion Cancer Support group off the ground. Since its inception 10 years ago, she has been a blessing to others as they navigate the often troubled waters in their own cancer journeys.

Her service did not stop when the church doors closed. She tirelessly supported the following organizations:

• Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK), Sigma Chapter. Marie was an active member of the Bellevue chapter of

this international organization of women educators dedicated to building educational excellence

through diversity and inclusion.

• Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc., Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter. As a life member of the first

historically African American intercollegiate sorority, Marie chaired many committees and held a

number of leadership roles, even serving as Basileus. Just last year she was honored as a Golden

Soror.

• Central Area Seattle Senior Center. Marie was a life member who particularly looked forward to the

monthly birthday celebrations. She participated in lots of center activities — especially the weekly

social bridge games.

• 41st District Democrats. As a longtime member and district parliamentarian, Marie was a regular at

general and special-purpose meetings. She collaborated with the chair to revise the district’s bylaws;

participated in caucuses, fundraisers, and other group functions; and even served as chair for her

precinct.

• Democrats for Diversity and Inclusion. Marie was a founding member of the DDI, which was

established in 2017, and was part of the team that wrote the organization’s bylaws. For the first few

years of its existence, she was the DDI’s parliamentarian.

• National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). A life member of the Seattle Section of NCNW, an

organization that advances opportunities for African American women, Marie wore many hats,

including that of president.

In addition to her civic activities, Marie liked to have fun and enjoy life. When you remember Marie,

think of

• An avid reader. She was part of the Readers Delight Book Club for over 20 years.

• A bowler. She participated in the Bellevue Education Association bowling league.

• A knitter with the skills needed to produce a Christmas stocking that brought joy and a smile to her

daughter’s face.

• A water aerobics enthusiast who went to group classes for years.

• Someone who looked forward to yearly trips to the Oregon Coast with her family.

• Someone who rarely missed the Puyallup Fair or an annual trip to the Tulip Fields.

• A powerhouse of a parliamentarian. Marie fulfilled this integral role for various organizations; she

was often invited to teach classes on parliamentary procedures to familiarize others with the rules for

conducting meetings.

• A seriously strategic bridge player whose skills were respected enough for her to be invited to sub in

for players who were absent.

• A champion for young people. Marie consistently helped connect youths with opportunities and

resources that set them up for success, and her grandchildren did not miss out. When her older

grandkids—twins Bruce and Brittany—were in grade school, she enrolled them in a program

sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Ballet. They not only took lessons, but they also interacted with

ballet professionals, had the chance to participate in a live performance, and were exposed to a

richness and authenticity they otherwise would not have had. When her younger grandson,

Brennan, was 11, she signed him up for Team Issachar, a Mount Zion Baptist Church program

whose mission is to enrich, strengthen, and develop the moral, ethical, and social character of young

men through group mentoring and interaction with a network of partners.

• A world traveler. Not only did she visit most of the states in the union, but she also traveled through

Europe, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, and more.

• A woman of high moral character. She was never timid when expressing her views or standing up for

what she knew was right. When confronted with an injustice, she felt compelled to try and correct the

situation.

• A supporter of the arts. She often went to plays at the Fifth Avenue, the Intiman, the Seattle Rep,

and other downtown Seattle theaters.

• A woman who enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino. She and a friend organized the Sparkly Hat

Group — seven women who donned their colorful, sequined newsboy-style hats and celebrated

each member’s birthday with lunch at the Snoqualmie Casino.

• A woman who, like many others, loved to shop; you’d be likely to run into her at one of her favorite

stores: Chico’s, Costco, or QFC, among others.

• A woman who documented as many important events and life experiences as possible in pictures,

either with a formal or informal photo shoot.

• A talented cook and an excellent baker. She specialized in sweet potato and soda cracker pies;

chocolate chip cookies that rivaled Mrs. Fields’; melt-in-your-mouth lemon pound cake; and

delectable fudge, to name a few of the goodies that came out of her kitchen. A bowl of her gumbo

would make your taste buds dance!

When you remember Marie, think of the truest and most loyal kind of friend you could ever have or even wish for. A woman who loved people, she stuck by her friends through thick and thin, no matter what. She cared deeply about and visited with her friends when they were well, when they were sick, when they were silly and fun, when they were hurting and despondent, when they were grieving, when they were celebrating, when they ticked her off, and even when some were near death.

Marie turned her home into a gathering place where she regularly entertained friends and family; it became a place of warmth for holiday celebrations and yearly traditions. Her door was always open, and her spirit was a loving one.

When you remember Marie, think of a strong and resilient woman who truly believed in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Think of a woman whose faith deepened through years of careful Bible study, through prayer without ceasing, and through plenty of old-fashioned Christian fellowship. Think of a woman who instilled these same values in her daughter and grandchildren.

Lastly, when you think of Marie, remember her as a loving mother and grandmother who cherished her family above just about all else. She leaves to celebrate her life and legacy her daughter Renee Shields; son-in-law Bruce Shields; grandchildren Brittany, Bruce, and Brennan Shields; great-grandchildren Tyree, Auvi, Raquel, and May’ Lanii; many, many good friends; and plenty of acquaintances who no doubt wish they had known her better.