Eleanor Brooks
BETHEL – Eleanor “Gram” Brooks was born in Bethel to her wonderful parents, Albert and Marguerite (Leighton) Sumner and was fortunate to have a wonderful childhood. She graduated from Gould Academy in 1955 and married Donald Brooks the following year. They enjoyed raising their family together.
In 1973, Eleanor became a born-again Christian, which she felt was the most important decision she ever made. She attended several conventions in Lenox and Baltimore, Md. where she made many friends. She took many Bible classes from Steven’s School of the Bible, and her home church for the last several years was the Grace Bible Church in Gorham.
She enjoyed summers “upta” camp in Upton, exploring Umbagog Lake on their pontoon boat. She loved the Red Sox, Patriots, and thoroughly enjoyed attending the sports/activities of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She worked at the Bethel Election Polls for 30 years and was a member of the Bethel Senior Citizen’s Club and American Legion Auxiliary.
She and Don travelled many places with the Kora Shrine Band, and spent a month visiting her son and family in South Africa, enjoying the wild animals at several different game preserves. At the age of 60, her Aunt Vera encouraged her to take up the art of folk painting and she spent over 20 years painting, selling many at craft fairs and stores in Western Maine. Most recently, the Bethel Historical Society turned one of her paintings into a jigsaw puzzle for a fundraiser. Eight years ago, she and Don moved from 62 Main Street to 91 Main Street where she loved to sit on the front porch and visit with friends and even made new friends.
She is survived by her son and family, Doug (Susan Vogt) Brooks; Kristen (Luke) Brostek and Ilse, Johannes, and Greta; Lauren (Niko) Hample and Frankie; Michael (Elisabeth) Brooks and Clara and Evangeline Eleanor; Maggie (Tom) Kelleher and Sylvia; and Janie Brooks; daughter and family, Donna Brooks; Meagan Lunney and Olivia; and Tara (Rick) Savage; and daughter and family, Karen (Mike) Rosenberg; Tatum (Cuba) Rosenberg, Christian (Dharma) Brown and Ainsley Rosenberg-Brown; Liz (Bryan) Kendall and Kennedy and Brooke; and Ben (Logan) Rosenberg and Peter and Eleanor; son-in-law, Jim Lunney; nephews Jack Brooks and Scott and Shannon Sumner, and niece, Stacey Sumner.
She was predeceased by her husband, Donald; son, Michael; great-granddaughter, Ada; brother, Al Sumner; son-in-law, Gerry Broomhall; and niece, Jeri Brooks.
A celebration of life will be held at the Bethel Alliance Church, Walkers Mills Road, Bethel on Saturday June 1 at 10 a.m. Arrangements by Cliff Gray Cremation and Funeral Services, 60 Andrews Rd., Bryant Pond.
In lieu of flowers please consider an act of kindness in Eleanor’s name
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