Vina Isach Brooks

BROOKS, Vina Isach, 92, of Richmond Va. died peacefully on Monday, April 11, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Dr. James Webster Brooks. She was born in Zeigler, Ill. on March 21, 1924, to Mary Barnes and William Isach who preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Susan Brooks Wyman and her husband Andrew, James Webster Brooks, Jr. and wife Deborah, Linda Brooks Talley of Washington, DC, and Scott Carruthers Brooks of Knoxville, Tenn; cousin Esther Pirka McCord, brother in law Samuel Carroll Brooks, Jr. and wife Elfriede; grandchildren, Christopher Bernard Duke and wife Jessica, Elizabeth Brooks Wyman, Sarah Wyman Handley and husband Ian, Emily Carter Brooks, Jackson Connor Brooks, and Melissa Carrington Brooks; great grandchildren, Lillian Marie Duke, Madeline Brooks Duke, Cayden Andrew Handley and Ava Elizabeth Handley as well as many nieces and nephews and her good friend Dr. Billie Lou Short. She was raised in Zeigler, Ill. by a loving aunt and uncle, Ada and Joe Pirka, along with her cousin Esther who she loved like a sister. She earned her nursing degree from Washington University School of Nursing in St. Louis, Mo. and in 1946 while working as a scrub nurse for the renowned Evarts A. Graham, M.D. she met her husband Jim who was a surgical intern also working for Dr. Graham. They were married several months later on June 28, 1947. Together they raised a family in a home filled with love, laughter and fun. In addition to raising four children, she was active in many community-based organizations including Richmond Academy of Medicine Auxiliary, Virginia Home, Virginia Museum, and was a member of the Country Club of Virginia and Tuckahoe Women’s Club. She was a junior board member and Senior Board Member of Children’s Hospital. She loved sewing, knitting and crocheting and won many awards for her needlework. She supported many fairs, cooking and sporting events at Collegiate School, and was an avid Collegiate Cougar fan. A honeymoon in Virginia Beach began a lifelong tradition of memorable family vacations spent at the beach. In their later years, she and her husband Jim loved their travels to many exciting destinations around the world. Family was always first to her. More than anything, her time with family was her favorite pastime, and a shopping trip with her girls became a main event for all! Although she will be terribly missed and no family event will ever be the same, her family is at peace knowing she is with Jim/Squidge/Baba, the love of her life. The family wishes to give heartfelt thanks to her care providers who became an extended part of her family over the past few years. They loved and cared for her, always maintaining her dignity and grace. The family will receive friends at Woody Funeral Home-Parham Chapel, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond, Va. 23229, on Thursday, April 14 from 5-8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 15 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 4602 Cary Street Road, Richmond, Va. 23226. A private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to MCV Foundation School of Medicine, P.O. Box 980022, School of Medicine Development Office, MCV Campus, Richmond, Va. or First Presbyterian Church.