Mary A. Brooks

Mary A. Brooks, 78, Green Bay, died unexpectedly, Thursday, May 23, 2013, at home at 8:05 A.M. Born in Guttenberg, IA, May 22, 1935, she is the daughter of the late Carl and Mary (Hinsonbrock) Gorsche. She married Brian Brooks, June 25, 1988, at St. Raphael’s Cathedral in Dubuque, IA. Mary worked at the American Red Cross beginning in 1994 in the capacity of Senior Aid; calling for volunteers to help out in the center. She then began working full time in 1996, calling for blood donors; until February of 2002 when she retired. Mary and her mother co-founded the Third Secular Order Discalced Carmelites for Catholic laity in the summer of 1968. She continued to be an active member until the day of her death. Mary was very devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Theresa of Avala and St. Therese Liseaux, cofounders of the Order of Discalced Carmelites for Catholic priests and nuns. Hobbies included, going for rides in the car to visit her cousin, Judy Meskel and her aunt, Katherine Hinsonbrock on their farms in rural, West Union, IA; until Katherine’s death in March of 2010. She also liked to take rides with her husband, Brian, into the local country side.
Mary is survived by her husband, Brian of Green Bay; cousins, Judy Meskel of rural West Union, IA., and Tom Meskel of Skokie, IL. both retired; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Beverly Brooks, Mountain; brother-in-law, Bill (Miyuki) Brooks of Nagoya, Japan; sisters-in-law, Becky Brooks of Minneapolis, MN., Barbara (Tom) Moore of Neshotah, Mary Beth (Jeffrey, M.D.) Cross of Denver, CO., and Elizabeth (Wayne) Chmiel, of Wind Lake; many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and aunts, Katherine Hinsonbrock, Virginia (Pat) Meskel, Evelyn (Karl) Rieneke, Isabelle (John) Gay, and Helen (Dr. M.J.) Molomby.
Visitation at MALCORE (East) Funeral Home, University Ave. at Baird Street, Tuesday from 4:00 PM until the time of the parish wake service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue Wednesday, from 9:00 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. Anthony V. Cirignani, OFM officiating. Burial at Allouez Catholic Cemetery.