ELIZABETH AGNES ANNE BROOKS (NELSON)

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ELIZABETH AGNES ANNE BROOKS
(nee NELSON)
Born: January 14, 1929

Elizabeth (Beth) Brooks peacefully passed away on Friday, May 10, 2019 in her own Winnipeg home, supported by her children and family. She was 90 years old and lived independently. She was blessed throughout her life with a very sharp mind and good health until the last two months.
She is survived by four children: Cheryl Cooper (Winnipeg), Sandra Wiebe (Stonewall), Sean Brooks (Brenda Brooks, Yorkton), and Kevin Brooks (Betsy Birmingham, Thunder Bay), 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her four sisters: Muriel Nelson (Vancouver), Andrea Blair (Wayne Blair, Carberry), Linda Langlois (Brandon) and Faye Baron (Earl Baron, Carberry). Ken Moffatt (Thunder Bay) is an uncle who was like a brother.
Beth enjoyed three careers. She spent a number of years at the Royal Bank in Carberry, she taught Business Education at Virden Collegiate, and she worked for the Western Canadian Aviation Museum when she moved back to Winnipeg. She spent her youth on a farm near Gregg, Manitoba with her beloved parents, Andy and Luella Nelson. She completed high school in Winnipeg at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate.
Only one word is needed to describe Beth: kindness. Everybody who knew her has mentioned her kindness to them as students, co-workers, neighbours, friends, or family. If she had a fault, it was also her kindness: she could drive everyone a little crazy with her generosity and willingness to put herself second. She couldn't help herself, even a week before her death. She articulated in her will a very beautiful memorial: spreading of her ashes on the family farm, releasing balloons to spread beauty, love and peace, and a gathering of family and friends -- no eulogies. But recently she said, "if somebody wants a funeral or wants to do something different, that's fine too."
The family is going to insist she gets her way on Saturday, May 18, spreading ashes at 1:00 p.m. and gathering at the Carberry United Church at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Diabetes Canada or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.
The family would like to thank the Palliative Care Unit of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, the staff of Home Instead, and Thomson Funeral Home for their care and support the final month.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2019