Brooke E. Baldwin

Baldwin, Brooke Elizabeth
August 6, 1996 – May 6, 2023
Following a 6-year battle with brain cancer, Brooke Baldwin of Sugar Land, Texas opened her eyes in
heaven for the first time on May 6th, 2023 at the age of 26 holding the hand of her beloved husband, Tyler.
Brooke will be lovingly remembered by her husband of two years, Tyler Baldwin. She will be dearly
missed by her parents, Deanna and Bryan Kotrla and her brother, Blake Kotrla as well as her
grandparents, Judy and William Faulconer. Brooke will also be missed by the extended Baldwin family
who loved her greatly. Finally, Brooke leaves behind a score of friends who got to enjoy her fun and lighthearted personality.
Brooke's life was filled by her love of many things, but her devotion to dance was her greatest love
through the years. Her dance career started in 2004 when the family moved from Texas to the
Chicagoland area. Brooke's love of dance was initially nurtured by weekly classes and performing on her
middle school and high school pom teams. In 2012, Brooke decided that she wanted to try and turn her
love of dance into a career someday, so she auditioned and was accepted as a dance major at Houston's
High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Brooke also continued to sharpen her dance
skills at Masters Upper Level Dance Studio as a competitive dancer. Brooke excelled in dance and
choreography and received HSPVA Outstanding Senior Choreography award for her creative efforts.
Brooke's ultimate goal was to dance competitively at the collegiate level. Her dream was realized when
she was accepted to join the 2015-2016 Nationally ranked Texas Tech Pom team.
During the Memorial Day weekend of 2017, a trip to the emergency room confirmed that Brooke had a
large, diffuse tumor growing on the left side of her brain. Brooke was then urgently introduced to MD
Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston. She endured surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy while she was
taking on-line classes to finish up her bachelor's degree in human sciences.
On St. Patrick's Day 2019, Brooke reluctantly went on a blind date where she met a boy as crazy as her.
Tyler is his name, and they were engaged by the end of that year. On April 30, 2021 Brooke Kotrla said "I
do" and became Brooke Baldwin in a fairytale wedding in front of close friends and family.
Unfortunately, her cancer started advancing again only a few months after the wedding. Tyler valiantly
loved Brooke to the very end and supported her during her most difficult years. We call him Superman
and her Prince Charming for the unending ways he demonstrated his deep love and commitment "to
death do us part." A true love story!
A visitation will be held at Sugar Land Mortuary (1818 Eldridge Rd – Sugar Land, TX) from 5pm to 8pm on
Friday, May 12th. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at Houston's High School for the
Performing and Visual Arts (790 Austin St – Houston, TX) at 11am on Saturday, May 13th with a brief
reception to follow.
The family would like to thank Dr. Fredrick Lang, Dr. John DeGroot, and Dr. Vinay Puduvalli and numerous
other doctors and nurses at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Brain and Spine Center
for their years of outstanding care and concern for Brooke. Much more research is needed to mitigate
brain cancer's impact for future patients and families of this devastating disease. The family would also
like to thank Dancers Against Cancer for their long-standing support of Brooke over the last several years.
Finally, the family would also like to thank Silverado Hospice and the many friends and family who
supported Brooke and Tyler financially through GoFundMe and the countless meal cards.
Brooke was a light to this world that was cut much too short. By faith, the family believes that we will
see Brooke again one day as she was united with Christ. Praise be to God that we will one day see
Brooke dance again in complete wholeness. What a sweet day that will be!
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Brooke, please consider the following organizations that
were close to her heart:
The Broach Foundation for Brain Cancer Research
www.thebroachfoundation.org
Dancers Against Cancer
www.imadanceragainstcancer.org