Grace Julia Stillwell Brooks

Grace Julia Stillwell BROOKS 03-22-1924 ~ 07-10-2010 Grace passed away the morning of July 10th in her Seattle pied a terre, she made it to 86. She wore a brave face the nine years since her husband Dick's death, but the cumulative effects of broken hips, stroke, and Dementia finally overcame her. Grace was born in Seattle circa 1924 at the Old Columbia Hotel. The heavy red velvet drapery in the room scandalized her English immigrant mother, Lucy Grace Pocock. At the age of 2 days Grace had to have bangs cut in her long brown hair; and so began a lifetime of unfortunate haircuts. Grace grew up in Ravenna, her father James B. Stillwell owned Stillwell Brothers Contracting. Responsible for landmark projects such as the Denny Regrade, the Ship Canal, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and countless infrastructure, Grace saw first hand the metamorphosis of Seattle. Graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in English, she had spent her first two years of higher education at WSC. Always a Cougar at heart, despite Apple Cup tensions at home with her Husky husband. After college, Grace and her girlfriends bicycled through England at the conclusion of WWII. Upon return Grace became employed at 'The Can' American Can Corp. She was an executive secretary to six managers, her favorite boss summing up her multitasking skills thus 'Doll, when you think we loose the ball game'. Measuring in at six feet tall, Grace knew how to make an entrance. Never a shortage of tall suitors, Grace collected seven proposals before saying yes. The loss of her first love Martin 'Mutt' Neils in a car accident profoundly effected Grace. Always looking for a man that could measure up to his memory, she waited until her 30's, well past the family giving up on her, before she claimed Richard J. Brooks. In Dick she found a hiking and skiing partner; and in Grace he found a sounding board and project coordinator. Together they built a house, raised two daughters, fought for many environmental causes, and traveled the world. Grace was the last of her family generation, her four siblings preceding her in death: Jay Stillwell, Margaret Stillwell, Sam Stillwell, and Betty Stillwell Neils. Her daughters Carol Brooks Huckle, and Heidi Brooks Danilchik carry on with Grace's precious granddaughters Maile Kai Danilchik and Lucy Elizabeth Huckle. A party celebrating the life and times of Grace will be held at The Seattle Tennis Club, Thursday, July 22nd from 3:00 to 6:00. Friends and family are welcome to come share memories. Please send in memoriams to the environmental cause of your choice or, in lieu of memorial donations, Grace suggests you take a hike or a ski run in her memory.