Elfriede Wesel Brooks

Elfriede "Frieda" (Wesel) Brooks, 90, died peacefully on April 20, 2023, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, from Alzheimer's dementia. She was born to German immigrants (Winfried and Maria Wesel) in New York City, New York, and was raised in Nutley, New Jersey. She graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Caldwell College (New Jersey) in 1954. Frieda met her beloved husband, Samuel C. Brooks Jr., while working in the science laboratory at Pfizer. After getting married in 1961, they moved to Michigan where Sam was a Professor of Biochemistry at Wayne State University School of Medicine (Detroit, MI). They built a beautiful life together in Orchard Lake, Michigan, and were fortunate to live in Belgium for two years when Sam was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Leuven.
Frieda was an elegant and classy woman; impeccably dressed and never left the house without her jewelry and red lipstick on. She was an avid gardener and spent countless hours tending garden, creating beauty around her. She loved to entertain and hosted numerous dinner parties with a beautifully set table and bountiful spread of food and drink. She enjoyed the fine arts and would never miss an art exhibit or Broadway Show.
Her biggest joy and accomplishment in life was raising her 3 children. She was an active member of her community, volunteering her time at her parish, Our Lady of Refuge (Orchard Lake, Michigan), her children's schools on the parent-teacher organization, and Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to the elderly and disabled. After many years as a full-time mother, she returned to work as a sales representative for Charles Warren Jewelers in Troy, Michigan. With her congenial personality and sharp eye for design and quality, she excelled in this position. When Sam retired, they moved to be closer to their son, James, in Oak Creek, Colorado, and lived in the home he built for them. Sadly, James died from a brain tumor in 2011; this was a very difficult loss for Frieda.
Frieda will be remembered for her kindness and generosity, fun-loving personality, lifelong friendships, love of animals, and prolific and eloquent letter writing. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Samuel C. Brooks, Jr., and son, James Winfried Brooks. She is survived by her brother, Winfried E. Wesel (Mary); her children, Carroll Brooks (Janie) (Melbourne, Australia) and Katie Brooks Robertson (Mike) (Fishers, Indiana); her grandchildren, Samuel, Phillip, Jacob, Lauren, and Benjamin; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Frieda's life took place at Holy Name Catholic Church in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on April 22, 2023. There will be a private burial in the coming months at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia. Memorial donations may be made in Frieda's name to Casey's Pond Senior Living (Staff Donation Fund), 2855 Owl Hoot Trail, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 80487. The staff provided Frieda with extraordinary care during the four years she resided there. They treated her with the utmost dignity and respect.