Pandora was born in Guanajay, Cuba on a farm. She spoke fondly of her time in Cuba climbing trees, eating fresh fruits, and playing with her older sister Patricia. Her parents died when she was 11, and she eventually moved to Beaumont, TX with the help of her brothers Richard and Charles. She loved learning and expressed pride that she was able to learn English in just a few years. After graduating high school, she married Ed Tinkle and had two children, Anna and Richard. She was extremely dedicated to caring for her children.
Pandora picked up golf and tennis in her 30’s. She excelled in golf and scored five hole-in-ones! After her divorce from Ed, she purchased a home that she was so proud of. In 1980, she married Gil Brooke, and they loved dancing and traveling together. They purchased a motor home and traveled to every state capitol. Pandora thoroughly enjoyed spending time with and caring for her grandchildren, Christopher, Madison, Conner, and Reed. Their favorite pastime was going to her beach cabin, Patti-Pan, to fish, crab, and play in the water. Pandora loved plants, and her yard was her pride and joy. She also enjoyed assisting her son at Sunshine Plant House, greeting customers and providing instructions on plant care.
Everyone who encountered Pandora thought she was fun-loving, funny, resilient, and full of zest. May her memory be a blessing!
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gilbert Brooke; her ex-husband, James Edward Tinkle; sister, Patricia Morrison; and brothers, Richard Hegele and Charles Hegele.
She is survived by her son, Richard Tinkle and daughter, Anna Silverstein; her granddaughter Madison Silverstein; her grandsons, Conner Silverstein, Reed Silverstein, and Christopher Tinkle and his wife Lacey; her great grandchildren Beau, Austin, and Lily Tinkle; her ex-daughter-in-law Della Fisher; and many nephews, nieces, and golf buddies.
Graveside services will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park located at 4950 Pine Street, Beaumont, Texas 77703 in the Garden of Devotion on Friday, January 26th at 2:00pm.
