Elisa R. Brooks

Elisa R. Brooks

Nov. 11, 1936 - June 24, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Elisa Ruth Brooks, 79, of South Bend died at 2:17 p.m. Friday, June 24th in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center following an illness. Mrs. Brooks was born November 11, 1936 in Chicago, IL to the late Elisabeth (Calloway) and Basilio Hawkins and had lived in South Bend since 1971, coming from Skokie, IL. On June 8, 1962, in Chicago, she married Jerry Brooks who survives. Also surviving are her children, Mara Meirick of Edwardsburg, MI and Matthew Brooks (Jennifer) of Livonia, MI; and her sister, Lourdes Kelly of California.

Education played a large role in Elisa's life. She graduated from St. Xavier College in Chicago, IL with a Bachelor's Degree in 1957. Following her graduation, she became an elementary school teacher at the Piti School in Piti, Guam. She then attended Smith College in Northampton, MA, where she received a Master's Degree in Education. After attending Smith, she returned to Chicago, IL and taught elementary school at the Francis W. Parker School.

In 1965, Elisa became an instructor at the American School in Chicago, IL, an institution offering high school and college level correspondence courses. While with the American school, Elisa authored Introduction to Reading, a remedial reading course, and co-authored a Personality for Business Training course. In 1966, Elisa and her husband Jerry welcomed their daughter Mara.

In 1970, Elisa was contracted by the Illinois Industrial Commission as an Operations Reorganization Consultant, where she compiled an employee manual setting forth general work rules and policies for the Commission. While with the Commission, Elisa and Jerry also hosted foreign dignitaries for the Council on Foreign Relations.

In 1971, Elisa, Jerry, and Mara moved to South Bend, IN. Elisa worked in the Admission Office at the University of Notre Dame, rising to the position of Assistant Director of Admissions in 1975. In 1976, Elisa became the Director of Admission at St. Mary's College, in Notre Dame, IN. During her time at St. Mary's, the college set records at the time for number of applicants and number of students enrolled in the college. Elisa received letters of accommodation from both the University of Notre Dame and St. Mary's College during her times with these institutions.

In 1979, Elisa and Jerry's son Matthew was born. Elisa resigned from St. Mary's in 1981 to focus on homemaking and to also assist Jerry with his business, Michiana Marine and Sports Outlet. Jerry and Elisa ran their boating supply business until they sold the business and retired in the late 1990s. Elisa also assisted Jerry when he owned and ran Corey Lake Marina, prior to the opening of Michiana Marine.

Elisa had many hobbies. She enjoyed dance, theater, and attending concerts and plays. She also enjoyed writing in her spare time and continued her love of education throughout her life. Elisa took Master's level courses at Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT, courses at the University of Notre Dame Law School, and courses at the Forever Learning Institute in South Bend. Further, she and Jerry attended elder hostels with courses on a variety of topics. She and Jerry also acted as host parents for foreign students at the University of Notre Dame for over forty years.

She attended countless dance recitals, music recitals, and sporting events involving her children, Mara and Matthew. She was also active with the First Unitarian Church, serving on the Board of Directors, helping to coordinate the church's annual service auction, and volunteering for Sunday School classes. She will be remembered for her kindness and empathy and will be missed by everyone whose life she touched.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 1st in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Rd. with Rev. Chip Roush of first Unitarian Church officiating. Cremation will follow. The family will receive friends on Friday in the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions in memory of Elisa may be made to First Unitarian Church, 801 E. Washington St., South Bend, IN 46617. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.