Kate Brook

BROOK (Ferguson) Kate (Kathleen Mary Theresa) On August 3, 2010, Kate Brook bravely waged her final and ferociously fought battle against infirmity and failing independence; she won: still "master of her fate, captain of her soul". Kate was born on April 10, 1920 in Sialkot, India to Sergeant-Major Joseph Ferguson and his wife, Mary. After three years, following Joseph's official discharge, the family moved back to England, in Yorkshire. In June of 1930, the Ferguson family moved to Rosalind, in central Alberta. Kate fought hard to escape the twin traps of a worldwide depression followed by a devastating world war. She managed to finish high school, and then married Frederick Brook in 1942. As a result of Fred's terminal illness, Kate went to the University of Alberta in the early sixties and earned one of the new Bachelor of Education degrees. She then went into teaching in order to support her fatherless nine children. Kate never stopped writing, and had her first and only book launched in the summer of 2002. Also, throughout her life, Kate took in, nourished and nurtured a large group of "her kids". She never ceased offering her time and resources to her huge and extended "adopted family". In her 91st year, Mum's indomitable spirit returns to the loving embrace of her darling Fred (our Dad), her Patrick (our brother), her Gerry (our sister in law), Betty, her beloved sister, her parents and numerous friends and colleagues. Furthering her passion for learning and continuing her long professional teaching career, through a last selfless act of volunteerism and generosity, Kate has committed her body to the Faculty of Medicine at the U of A, for student study and medical research. We are so proud and comforted. On every step of her final fight, Kate was with her bereft and unmoored family: Andrew Brook and Christine Koggel, and Constance Brook and her grandchildren and great-grandsons George and Louise and son Declan and David and Catherine and son Martin, all of Ottawa; Jan Manning of Mexico; Joseph and the late Geraldine Brook and her granddaughters Charlene and Carole, all of Burnaby, BC; Patrick (deceased) and Laurie Brook and James St. John, of Oakland, CA and her grandchildren and great-grandson Jena and Michael and son Cassius of New York; and Dana and Erica of San Francisco; Michael and Wendy Brook of St. Albert and her grandchildren Eli and Rose, and Ira all of Edmonton; Mary-Kay Brook and Brian Ault and her grandchildren Russell and Mary Beth all of Edmonton; Frederica and Robert Schutz of Edmonton and her grandchildren Kate of Calgary and Kevin and Marissa of Grande Prairie; Roderick and Sabrina Brook and her grandchildren and great-granddaughter Cindy and Mike and daughter Jessica all of Edmonton; Teresa Brook and her loyal friend Paula Gill of Edmonton. Kate is also survived by John Ferguson, her brother of Sooke, BC. Guiding her family and gently lighting Kate's way, we are most appreciative of the amazingly skilled and compassionate people from whom she received respectful ministrations: Dr. R. Hanelt and his staff, the emergency, medical and nursing staff of the UofA hospitals and, especially, Drs. Graham, Morris and Mirhosseini. Our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you! For many years, Kate accepted with profound gratitude the medical and spiritual offerings of Dr. F. McAllister and the Rev. D. Aellen. Their humble grace and loving humanity immeasurably enriched Kate's life in boundless ways. Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts. For friendships and kindnesses bestowed we thank the community of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Ms. Lilly Adams, Mrs. Shirley and Mr. John White and the Reverend Martin Hattersley. If you can continue Kate's support of women and children in need, in lieu of flowers Kate asks that you donate to a charity of your choice. She will be eternally grateful. The Celebration of Kate's Life and Legacy will take place in the beautiful Autumn, her very favourite season: at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 11111-57 Avenue, NW, Edmonton. The Reverend Donald Aellen will officiate. An informal gathering will take place in the church hall following the service. Please wear your brightest colours! Mum, Gram, G-G, Kate, Kay: Go in peace. Your journey has just begun.