Betty “BB” Brooks

BB and Vincent “Wayne” Verozza enjoyed life together in Tahoe and Maui for several years, until dementia made it necessary for his family to care for him in California. Wayne arranged for her to remain in his Maui condo in Kihei as long as she wanted to stay. BB enjoyed life on Maui, playing cards with friends, playing bingo, going to the pool for aqua aerobics 3 times a week, baking wonderful goodies for her friends, and going to church. She lived life on her own terms, driving until she was almost 100, and still walking a mile every day at the age of 101.

BB was second oldest of 8 children. She was preceded in death by father Wayman Ray Sturm and mother Elsie Sirk, and siblings Thomas Clyde, John William, Mary Frances, Boots, and Lois Ann, and is survived by sisters Joan and Louise, as well as many loving nieces and nephews and their descendants.

BB grew up in West Virginia and Ohio. Being the eldest daughter living on a dairy farm, she and her mother took turns on chores like cooking dinners and milking the cows. When she was 13, her mother died while carrying a 9th child. Her father kept the three eldest children at the farm; the five youngest daughters were taken in by three aunts.

Being the oldest daughter, her father expected BB to fulfill her mother's role, and made her quit school. Not long after that, she left the farm, and she supported herself for the rest of her life. She worked as a waitress for 60 years, and as a second job cared for children.

BB and Larry Brooks were married when she was in her late twenties. They had no children of their own, but embraced extended family on both sides.

BB made close, loving, and devoted friends wherever she went, even with her caregivers. She died peacefully 20 days before her 102nd birthday, at home, where she wanted to stay.