Obituary of Rose V. Brooks

Rose V. Brooks (nee Dunkerley) of Flourtown passed away on February 9, 2017 at the age of 88. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband John P. Brooks. She was a devoted mother to her 8 children Mary E. Brooks (MacDonald), John R. (Peggy), Rosemarie Brooks (MacDonald), Patrick W., Anne Brooks (Sams), Ellen R., James T. (Theresa) as well as Cynthia Culp Jacob (Michael). Rose was a loving grandmother to her 23 grandchildren Colleen, Ian, Matthew, Richard, Bonnie, Maggie, Johnny, Rebecca, Sheila, Bryan, Jason, Leigh, Sara, Patrick, Tyler, David, Michael, Kenny, Katrina, Laura, Emily, Kathleen and James. She also was a proud Great Grandmother of 28 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Her son Paul J. Brooks, her brother Robert Dunkerley and Sister Marie Jones as well as her two brothers in law James and Patrick Brooks. She is survived by her sisters in law Patricia Brooks (nee Walsh) and Lucretia Brooks (nee Lamarra). Born in Ontario Canada in 1928, Rose was the daughter of Sydney and Mary Dunkerley (nee Conley), both English immigrants. She was 5 years old when the family moved to Mount Airy, PA. She attended Little Flower High School and went on to become an assistant buyer for Nance Cosgrove's Store up until she married the love of her life, John P. Brooks in 1947. In 1952 they moved to Mathers Lane and Bethlehem Pike in Whitemarsh Twp, and when Saint Genevieve Parish opened in 1955. The Brooks' were a charter family, with all 8 children attending school there. In 1960 They moved to 927 Bethlehem Pike in Flourtown. A devout Catholic, Rose had a deep faith in God and a strong love of family and friends. Known for their hospitality and generosity, over the years John and Rose sacrificed of themselves many times to help others. In 1970 Rose helped organize the Philadelphia Chapter of PHL (Pennsylvanians for Human Life), an organization dedicated to combat abortion through educational means. On July 28th 1970 she along with friend Marylou Allwein participated in the first Pro Life demonstration ever held in the City of Philadelphia. She stayed active in that group for over 10 years and was a founding member of CURE (Catholics United for Responsible Education) and CUFF (Catholics United for the Faith.) The highlight of her involvement came during the Eucharistic Congress in 1976 when she along with her friends Christine Tonkinson and Anne Wilson served as escorts and guides for Mother Teresa of Calcutta when now St. Teresa was a speaker at that great event. Before retiring permanently to their summer home in Del Haven, NJ in 1985, she and John lived briefly in Bryn Mawr as well as Ambler, PA. Rose had a great love for the Jersey Shore and she was self-described as "a little girl who got sand between her toes at an early age and never could quite get it out." Her heart belonged to Wildwood where she made friends with the Morey and Dare families. Rose spent most of the summers of her youth waitressing on the Wildwood Boardwalk and dancing the night away in the Starlight Ballroom. Above all things, Rose was dedicated to her husband and family. She was very proud of all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. An excellent cook, devoted wife, ready willing and able to rise to any challenge life presented. Perhaps her greatest accomplishment was by example, passing her deep faith and love of family along to all her children and their children. Rose will be missed dearly by all who knew her. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 am on Tuesday, February 14 at Saint Genevieve Church, 1225 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA .. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham . Calling hours will be Tuesday, February 14 from 9-10:30am at Saint Genevieve Church, 1225 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA. Memorial donations may be made to the Artman Home Benevolent Fund-250 N. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, Pa.19002