Hope W. Brooks

Hope Willard Brooks, MD, was born on June 14, 1931 in Weymouth, MA to Wyeth and Grace Willard, founders of Camp Good News in Forestdale, MA. During World War II, her family lived in Forestdale in the building that is now the Camp Good News office. Her father served with the Marines in the South Pacific while her mother raised the family and ran the camp. As children, Hope and her siblings Faith, Paul, and Peter attended The Henry T. Wing School in Sandwich.

After the War, her father accepted a position as Assistant to the President at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. While living in Wheaton, Hope attended Wheaton College Academy, graduating in 1948. She went on to attend Wheaton College where she was Vice President of the student body. After graduating in 1952, Hope followed her sister, Faith, to Baylor University where she received a Master’s degree in Physical Education. In the fall of 1954 she began medical school at Baylor University where she was one of only 3 women in a class of 100. While at Baylor, Hope met Clint Brooks, and the two were married in August of 1956 at The Barnstable Baptist Church on 6A in Hyannis. She then transferred to The University of Alabama School of Medicine, graduating in 1958. In July, 1959, after completing a one year internship at Lloyd Nolan Hospital, she began a Pediatric Residency at The Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Upon completing her residency in July, 1962, Dr. Brooks went into private practice in suburban Philadelphia. From 1957 to 1968 she also had five children.

Despite the fact that at that time, well over half of the children diagnosed with cancer were dying of their disease, in 1970, Hope left her practice to start a fellowship in Pediatric Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, under the direction of Dr. Audrey Evans. Though survival rates for children with cancer have dramatically improved since then, at that time her work was repeatedly heart breaking. However, she not only went on to complete the fellowship, but then upon reopening her pediatric practice, also utilizing it as a satellite clinic for Children’s Hospital oncology patients. During those years, she arranged for scholarships for many of those children with cancer to attend summer camp at Camp Good News. In the spring of 1979, she and her husband welcomed into their home three refugee children from Vietnam, Thanh, Chau, and Tran, who to this day still call her “Mom.”

In 1983, after two years of separation, and then divorce, she moved back to Cape Cod, opening a pediatric practice in Orleans. In July, 1985, her son Stewart died tragically. Over the next several years, she transitioned her practice to Sandwich, founding Cape Cod Pediatrics.

Dr. Brooks was also passionate about serving overseas, and in the early 90’s she joined “Doctors on Call For Service” or “DOCS.” Through this organization, Hope made multiple trips to Africa serving as both a volunteer physician and teacher of physicians in training throughout the Congo. More recently, here on Cape Cod, she helped start Church of the Good Shepard, which for over a year, met in her home.

Dr. Brooks also served as a pediatrician for many institutions over the years, such as The Melmark Home, in Newtown Square, PA, The May Institute on Cape Cod, the Mashpee School system, and Camp Good News.

Beyond, and just as important as, the recordable accomplishments, was mother’s heart. She was “always on the give.” To me, she was always an encourager. She faced life’s challenges and tragedies with courage and grace founded on the abiding assurance in her Heavenly Father’s love. To the very end, she happily served in whatever capacity she could at Camp Good News, whether it be as a cook, fund raiser, or laundry lady. She loved children and loved to see them smile.

She is survived by her four children Dr. Stephen Brooks, his wife Marla, Grace Aviles, her husband Brian, Dr. Warren Brooks, his wife Negar, and Jane Brooks, brothers Peter Willard, his wife Jean, Paul Willard, and her sister Faith Willard, ten grandchildren, Emily Aviles, Elizabeth Aviles, Andrew Brooks, his fiancé Madison, Stephanie Brooks, Becca Aviles, Esther Joy Aviles, Maeve Brooks, Lily Brooks, Eve Brooks, and Phoebe Brooks, a nephew, Wyeth Willard, four nieces, Bethany Wilkenson, Rachel Toothaker, Dr. Leah Elias, and Kim Vermette, as well as many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 Route 6A in Sandwich, from 3 to 8 PM on Thursday, February 21, 2013. A celebration of her life will be held at Christ Chapel, 1200 Old Stage Road, Centerville, MA at 11 AM February 22, 2013.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Camp Good News, PO Box 1295, Forestdale, MA 02644 or a charity of your choice.