Brooks, Gladys
WILTON - Gladys "Glady" Louise Brooks (nee King), age 92, passed away on February 4, 2025, after suffering the effects caused by multiple falls over a number of years (she wished to be a stunt woman). Glady was predeceased by her loving husband, Bernard (Bern) L. Brooks; as well as her beloved grandsons, Andrew Jason Brooks and Keith Alex Brooks; and granddaughter, Alyson Nicole Brooks.
Glady is survived by her sons, Kenneth (Susan) Brooks and Thomas (Patricia DesRocher) Brooks; and daughters, Laura (Ralph) Smeallie and Barbara (Daniel) Stellabotte. Grandchildren include Erica (Brooks) Azzara, Brian Stellabotte, Matthew (Amy) Brooks; granddaughters-in-law, Martyna Brooks, Andrea Smeallie and Madison Smeallie. Glady has six great-grandchildren, Thomas and Jaclyn Azzara, Krystina and Natalia Brooks, and Hailey and Layla Brooks.
Glady and Bern met when both were involved in a roller-skating club in Mineola. They married in 1952, when Bern worked at a gas station, where Glady would bring him supper. Glady worked as a secretary at Sperry Corp., but she urged Bern to attend college, and totally supported his efforts in obtaining degrees in Engineering from Hofstra, and a Master's degree from C.W. Post University. Bern would pack two 'lunches' on school days; one for lunch and the other for dinner. He would set his alarm for 2:30 in the morning to do homework at the dining room table while Ken and Barbara were asleep. Always, Mom and Dad shared a kiss good morning, and again when he got home from work or school.
Dad started working at Grumman Aerospace Corp. in Bethpage, N.Y., sometime in 1956. He began his career there as a draftsman, and even designed the galley for the very first Gulfstream! When he retired from Grumman, he left as Contracts Manager of Advanced Aircraft and Advanced Design. When Mom attended Grumman functions with Dad, many times women who worked for Dad praised him; he was instrumental in advancing 'secretaries' to be contract specialists. Certainly, something to be proud of. In the old days, huge family picnics were held at Grumman on Eastern Long Island - Ken even worked painting picnic tables one year! Grumman was very good for our family, but changed drastically around the time Dad retired, when it became Northrop Grumman.
It's hard to separate memories of Mom without Dad being part of them. They both worked hard so that we could all enjoy good times together. Speaking as siblings, our memories are vast and varied. Our first vacations were probably those times spent at Grandma and Grandpa King's bungalow, later winterized and expanded, in East Quogue, N.Y. They were on a lagoon off the Shinnecock Bay, and we were always in the water on Memorial Day. We dove off the dock and often went out on the motorboat or rowboat. We went clamming, fishing and crabbing. Grandpa King made his own sinkers out of molten lead, and built their Adirondack chairs, too! Meals were Grandma King's domain, and were always a production. Preps began for a meal right after the one before, and there were three squares a day.
Later, we sometimes rented a cabin, usually in upstate N.Y., for a family vacation. Locations included Robert Treman Park, Tupper Lake and others. Later, it was Mom who started us on camping, and we started with a 10'x18' Ted Williams tent from Sears. Bathroom facilities at campgrounds varied from beautiful with plenty of hot water, to the outhouse with a crescent moon on the door. We were always allowed to explore the campground, and we have incredible memories from doing so. Then, Mom and Dad bought a Steury pop-up camper, and some or all of us enjoyed that for more years.
During all of this, we spent many good times with Aunt Doris and Uncle Bill, and Aunt Catherine and Uncle Gordon and cousins. We also visited Jones Beach in the summer where Dad would join us after work; we'd stay walking the boardwalk until after dark. Actually, they used to roller skate at the rink there!
We always had dogs, and our cocker spaniel, Penny, had five puppies in 1960. But what all of us have fond memories is our two springer spaniels, each of which had two litters, for a total of 31 puppies! What fun.
Mom enjoyed antiques, and when camping we often went to auctions with various levels of success. She was a life master at bridge and enjoyed gambling and playing poker until very recently. She successfully set up and ran a busy medical practice, and was a certified medical assistant, which she taught to others. On Long Island, she was a volunteer for a domestic violence victim organization.
Mom and Dad were beyond fortunate to have lived lakeside twice; first at Gold Key Lake in Pa., and later in a custom-built home on Lake Monticello in Va. Both homes had separate apartments for Grandma King, and we all have great memories of times spent in both.
In later years, Mom worked with a computer and cell phone, often keeping various grandchildren busier than they would have liked, helping her figure stuff out even though she 'didn't do anything.'
We hope that Mom and Dad's values, love and caring are being reflected in our own lives.