Irene H. Brooks

Irene H. Brooks, 93, formerly of Stewart Circle NW Warren, died 5:15 AM Sunday Oct.21, 2007. She was born Aug.16, 1914 in Warren, OH the daughter of Pearl Elias and Mina (Patterson) Garber. Irene was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and a graduate of St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Cleveland, becoming a registered nurse in 1935. She worked at University Hospitals in Cleveland for 3 years. Irene married the late Gordon W. Brooks Sept.3, 1939. When Gordon served in the Army Air Corps, Irene spent four years with him working as a civilian nurse for the US Army. After returning to Warren she worked as a private duty nurse. She subsequently became Director of Nurses at Green Cross Hospital in Warren. In 1962 Irene became director of the Trumbull County branch of the American Heart Association retiring in 1977. Affectionately known as the “Heart Lady”, her efforts were instrumental in beginning the first no-smoking program for elementary school children and also beginning the community’s first cardio-pulmonary resuscitation program. Irene also made many house calls, training families how to care for stroke patients. Irene was a volunteer at Trumbull Memorial Hospital for many years and a member of the National Gmanfa Ganu Welsh Society and the Niles Cambria Club, serving many times as president. She enjoyed music, sewing, reading, and traveling. A former member of the First Presbyterian Church and its Kirk Club, Irene was more recently a member of the North Mar Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and the Fisherman’s Sunday school class. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her step-mother Olive R. Garber, and her beloved husband Gordon W. Brooks, long-time organist and music director at the First Presbyterian Church of Warren who died Jan.20, 1999. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Roger and Irene Garber of Warren and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of Irene’s life will be held 11:00 AM Thursday October 25, 2007 at North Mar Church where friends may call from 9:30to 11:00 AM. Pastor James Garber will officiate. Interment will be in Kerr Cemetery, Weathersfield Township. Memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements were handled by Robert-Clark Chapel.