Helen Brooks

Passed away in Alexandria, VA on August 19, 2010. She was born on October 24, 1928 in Boulder, CO, to mother Gladys, a homemaker, and father Harry Pease, a sales manager. She graduated from Boulder High School in 1947, and as a young wife and mother moved to the Washington, D.C. area, which was her home base for the rest of her life.

Self-described as extroverted and headstrong while growing up, Helen was the apple of her father's eye and the adored big sister to siblings Marguerite and Shirley. Schooled in the traditional homemaking arts by their mother, she and her sisters learned to keep house, sew, knit and crochet expertly. However, Helen was energetic and curious and preferred outdoor activities and athletics. She often rebelled against her protective mother and enjoyed the role of daredevil, leading her meeker sisters into trouble. She fondly recalled exploring on her bike with her pet bulldog in her handle basket and her sisters trailing behind her.

One of Helen's most notable abilities was her musical talent, and by her teens she was an accomplished singer and pianist, mastering advanced classical works, often by ear. While she did not continue to study piano beyond her teens, she loved all things musical for the rest of her life, often singing, dancing and playing piano at parties.

By high school Helen had also blossomed into a true beauty, and her good looks, outgoing nature and athletic ability made her a natural for the cheerleading squad. She loved the drama of competitive sports, especially football and would later become a diehard Redskins fan. By her senior year she was elected Head Cheerleader and was a popular and well-liked honor student. After graduation she began dating returning World War II veteran and former Boulder High classmate and football star Theodore (Ted) R. Zeigler. After a brief courtship they married on February 9, 1948, and Helen went to work at the local phone company while Ted attended the University of Colorado. After the birth of their daughter Connie Thomasson (Mike), and Ted's graduation, the young family moved to Northern Virginia for Ted to pursue his career as a graphic artist.

For several years Helen stayed home to raise Connie, who was joined by a second daughter, Judy Watson (Jerry). However, despite their bond as loving parents, Helen and Ted separated and were divorced in 1963. The financial necessities of divorce required Helen take a secretarial job for the Army at the Pentagon. Although common now, her struggle to support her children as a single divorced parent carried a heavy social stigma and she would later describe these years as the hardest of her life.

Despite the hardships of her new life, Helen enjoyed being out in the world and quickly made many new friends. Bright and competitive, she developed superlative secretarial skills and quickly earned a transfer into the area of technical illustration. She excelled in this work and earned rapid promotions.

Helen’s life entered another new phase with her marriage to Army Sgt. Major Harry (Hank) M. Brooks in 1964. Hank became a loving stepfather to her daughters and remained her devoted husband until his death on August 23, 2002.

In 1968 Hank was assigned to the Canal Zone in Panama and he was accompanied there by Helen and Judy. Helen was able to continue working full time and with her extroverted nature adjusted quickly to the new environment, making many new friends among the large American community in the Canal Zone. Unlike most military dependents living there, she eagerly plunged into the local culture as well, learning basic Spanish, trying local food specialties, and exploring and traveling extensively outside the Canal Zone. She and Hank also began what became a life long passion for shopping, bargain hunting and collecting the interesting and unique.

After Panama Helen returned Stateside while Hank completed a tour of duty, (his third) in Vietnam, and then joined him for a four year assignment to the American Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay. There she relished her new role as a diplomatic spouse, and with her still striking good looks and bubbly personality, she was an instant hit on the Embassy party circuit.

She and Hank entertained frequently, spent vacations at the famous Punta del Este beaches and used their military travel privileges to visit every country in Central and South America. Back in the U.S., Helen joined Hank for a final assignment in Minnesota before he retired. He and Helen settled in Upper Marlboro, MD, where they lived until Hank’s death in 2002. Helen took a job for a short time as a secretary and did prototype sewing, but after a stroke in 1990, she did not work again.

While leading a quieter life, Helen and Hank still enjoyed collecting, spending time with their daughters’ families and keeping in touch with their wide circle of friends. After Hank’s death Helen moved to an apartment in a retirement community in Alexandria, VA. Although illness continued to limit her activities, she was able to live independently until earlier this year.

Helen is survived by daughters Connie and Judy; grandchildren Denise Fruik (Chris), Theodore (Teddy) Watson, and Hunter Watson; great-grandchildren Emma Campbell (Dana), Elaina Fruik and Ryan Fruik; and great-great-granddaughter Ella Campbell. She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends.

Helen will be laid to rest with her husband Hank at Arlington Cemetery on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. The family will hold an 11:00 AM visitation and 12:00 noon memorial service at DeMaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria VA 22314, followed by a 1:00 PM procession to Arlington Cemetery for a 2:00 PM service.