Nancy Jo Brooks

Nancy J. (Lower) Brooks, 83, of Kansas City, MO, passed away on March 1, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. A Celebration of Nancy’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9 at Kansas City United Church of Christ, 205 W. 65th Street, Kansas City, MO. A reception will follow the service in the church hall.

Nancy was born on June 13, 1940 in Topeka to Joe and Lesta (Newbury) Lower. She grew up in Wichita and started college at Wichita State, later transferring to KU Med Center. While in college, she met John on a blind date. They married in November 1963 and soon after moved to Kansas City. Nancy worked as a cytotechnologist at Wheeler Labs, Menorah Medical Center, and Research Hospital throughout her career.

Nancy was preceded in death by John; her parents; her brother, Steve Lower; and her son-in-law, Tim Watson. She is survived by four daughters, Shelly Brooks-Smith (Michael Smith), Vicki Brooks (Darren Miller), Lisa Brooks, and Janet Mosby; four grandchildren, Aleister and Addison Jones, and Denny and Josie Mosby; her sister, Linda (Kay) Lower; sister-in-laws, Sherri Lower, Bette Brooks, Elva Jean Atkinson, and Sharron Brooks; and many nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors and her “church family.”

Nancy lived with strength, creativity, a great sense of humor, and a dedication to helping those in her life and people she’d meet. Even with four daughters and a full-time career, Nancy had many interests including being an active member of her church for over 50 years. It was her home away from home and offered life-long friends that she cherished. She was a Bluebird and Campfire Girl leader, enjoyed theater and music, and volunteered with a variety of AIDS service organizations in Kansas City, receiving the AIDS Caregiver Recognition Award in 1994. A quite important recognition is that she was also the best babysitter to her grandchildren. She will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either of the following which were important to Nancy: Kansas City United Church of Christ (kcucc.org) or Harmony Project of Kansas City (necc-kc.org).