Helen Weber Brooks

Helen was born on October 5th, 1918 in Spring Fork, Missouri, daughter of Frank and Emma Weber. She was married in 1940 to Edward B. Brooks, who preceded her in death in 1993. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Bernard, Leo, John and Joe; and her sister, Therese McKinzie.

Helen is survived by her children, Lawrence E. Brooks (Mary Ellen), Judith Brooks Waddell (Jerry), Betty Brooks Gacom (Darrell) and Charles S. Brooks (Gretchen); grandchildren, Linda Hansel van Thullenar (Ted), Barry Hansel Jr. (Lynn), Mike Hansel, David Brooks (Kate), Amy Brooks Harper (Mike), David Gacom, and Christina Gacom Gondek (Mike); and sister, Maxine Weber Gibson (Don); many great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Helen attended Mount St. Scholastica Academy in Atchison, Kansas. She was an early member of the Ladies Garment Workers Union, and after raising her children, she worked for the National Secretaries Association.

Helen and her husband, Edward were one of the founding families of St. Agnes Parish and for more than sixty years, she helped and supported both emotionally and financially, families and individuals who were faced with difficulties and tragedies. Helen was the first to volunteer and offer whatever she could to assist others in their time of need.

Helen and Edward were instrumental in the development of the Rose Brooks Center by donating Edward’s mother’s home to the newly formed organization. They were also a founding family of the city of Westwood, Kansas.

Helen was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She helped all of us who knew her to build our best selves. She made us believe in ourselves because she believed in us. For all of us, there is a small group of individuals who shaped the trajectory of our lives, our families, and our communities. Their gift to us shows that the power of faith, hope and love is not an abstraction.

And, after all that being said, she made THE BEST SUGAR COOKIES.

Services celebrating Helen’s life will be at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 5250 Mission Road, Roeland Park, Kansas 66205 on October 7th, 2016 as follows: Rosary and Visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. with interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Rose Brooks Center, Kansas City Hospice, or St. Agnes Catholic Church.

Memories of Helen and condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.