Beverly Sue Bostdorf Brooks

Brooks, Beverly Sue Bostdorf
Jul. 20, 1935 - Oct. 29, 2015
Beverly Sue Bostdorf Brooks was born in the city of Toledo in Lucas County, Ohio. She was the first child born to Clayton Elwood (Dick) Bostdorf and Cora McCormick Bostdorf. A longtime resident of New York and lately of Sarasota, Florida, Bev died peacefully on the afternoon of October 29th in Sarasota Memorial Hospital with her daughter by her side.
Bev grew up in Perrysburg, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She was a loyal Buckeye fan all her life. She later acquired an MSW from Simmons College.
Bev's career led to the creation of ground-breaking programs of national significance. Informing her career choices was an enduring interest in the physical and mental health of children and their families. Along the way she served as Director of Planning for New York City's Model Cities Program, director of education enrichment programs for the NYC Board of Education, Administrator of Kings County hospital-based health programs, Commissioner of Children's Services (NYC) and CEO of SafeSpace, a non-profit that aided abused and neglected young people. She was the co-founder (along with husband Emory) of Community Counseling and Mediation, which provides mental health clinics, child welfare prevention programs and supportive housing facilities in the New York area. The numerous and effective programs she was able to design and incubate were replicated both locally and nationally.
An avid reader, Bev also loved gourmet food and had an eclectic taste. She liked music, theater, reading and enjoying her grandchildren. With her wonderful sense of humor, she was able to make people laugh regardless of the situations they found themselves in. She was also a wise and willing advisor, which was appreciated by all.
She is survived by her husband and partner of 35 years, Emory X. Brooks; her son Jeffrey Simmons and his wife Christine; her daughter Bethany Simmons; brother John Bostdorf; nephew Trevor Bostdorf; sister Kay Bostdorf Jewett and her husband Stiles Jewett; niece Catherine Jewett; nephew James Jewett; and her grandsons Nicholas and Zachary Simmons. She is also remembered by her stepchildren Douglas Brooks, Jennifer Brooks Agwunobi, and Thomas Brooks; as well as their children Rachael, Gabby, Abigail, Nadia, Seth and Grayson. She was very much loved and will be forever missed.
A service will be held on December 5, 2015 at 2:00 pm at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232.
Bev was passionate about animals, especially enjoying the companionship of her dogs Ozzie and Tessa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Sarasota County.