Obituary for Joanne Marie Brooks (Benway)
Whitehall, NY and San Antonio Texas
Joanne Marie (Benway) Brooks, 63, passed away due to pancreatic cancer on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at her home surrounded by family and friends.
Joanne was born in Glens Falls on October 18, 1958 to Harriet (Webster) Hildreth and Robert Benway, both longtime residents of Whitehall.
Joanne attended Whitehall Central School and as a young woman took classes at the College of Saint Joseph in Vermont. She received 2 Bachelor’s Degrees and worked for 20 years in the mental health field.
Joanne married James P. Brooks in 1981 and had two daughters, Jessica in 1981 and Johnna in 1984 as well as a stepson, James and stepdaughter, Kathleen.
Joanne was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 2 decades, providing help for dinners, benefits and working to always help people. She was very creative and was inspired to make memorable gifts for people. She would use her crafting skills and many things; clothes, blankets, crocheted hats, ponchos and all kinds of mittens and unique styles – all homemade. She loved doing for others and make people feel loved and special. Sewing was one of her favorite things to do, along with listening to country classic’s, Prince, and the Bee Gee’s. Joanne often camped at Bulwagga Bay and Taylors Pond. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
In 2003 Joanne moved her life from Whitehall to San Antonio TX where she worked in the Mental Health Field as well. She resided in Texas until 2007 when she moved back to Whitehall to be with her first grandchild. In later years, Joanne lived with her daughter, Johnna and her 3 children.
Joanne loved to watch Days of Our Lives and the Young and the Restless. She really loved watching TV shows like Dr. Pole and the Walton’s. One of her all-time favorite songs is Concrete Angel by Martina McBride and she would say it best represented her life and struggles.
Waiting for her in heaven Besides her parents include her daughter, Jessica Marie Brooks who passed away in 1982 as well as her stepson, James P. Brooks Jr. who passed away in 2020 and her brother, Leslie Hildreth.
Left to cherish her memory besides her daughter, Johnna Brooks of Saratoga Springs include her 3 grandchildren who knew Joanne as Mema; Brenna Sage Brooks, Autumn Rayne Brooks, and Logan Michael Tucker all of Saratoga Springs; her step-daughter, Kathleen Brooks of Gansevoort; her siblings, Robert Hildreth (Kim) of Missouri, Karen Wann (Robert) of San Antonio, TX, James Hildreth of Wisconsin, Cheryl Cousins and Nancy Hildreth Wellons (Lamar) all of San Antonio, TX; her former husband, James P. Brooks Sr. of Whitehall; her very close friend Charlene Bessette; as well as many nieces and nephews between Whitehall and San Antonio, Texas.
Joanne requested simplicity and friends may call from 1 to 2pm on Monday, May 9, 2022, at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY followed by a service at 2pm at the funeral home.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.
Joanne Marie (Benway) Brooks, 63, passed away due to pancreatic cancer on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at her home surrounded by family and friends.
Joanne was born in Glens Falls on October 18, 1958 to Harriet (Webster) Hildreth and Robert Benway, both longtime residents of Whitehall.
Joanne attended Whitehall Central School and as a young woman took classes at the College of Saint Joseph in Vermont. She received 2 Bachelor’s Degrees and worked for 20 years in the mental health field.
Joanne married James P. Brooks in 1981 and had two daughters, Jessica in 1981 and Johnna in 1984 as well as a stepson, James and stepdaughter, Kathleen.
Joanne was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 2 decades, providing help for dinners, benefits and working to always help people. She was very creative and was inspired to make memorable gifts for people. She would use her crafting skills and many things; clothes, blankets, crocheted hats, ponchos and all kinds of mittens and unique styles – all homemade. She loved doing for others and make people feel loved and special. Sewing was one of her favorite things to do, along with listening to country classic’s, Prince, and the Bee Gee’s. Joanne often camped at Bulwagga Bay and Taylors Pond. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
In 2003 Joanne moved her life from Whitehall to San Antonio TX where she worked in the Mental Health Field as well. She resided in Texas until 2007 when she moved back to Whitehall to be with her first grandchild. In later years, Joanne lived with her daughter, Johnna and her 3 children.
Joanne loved to watch Days of Our Lives and the Young and the Restless. She really loved watching TV shows like Dr. Pole and the Walton’s. One of her all-time favorite songs is Concrete Angel by Martina McBride and she would say it best represented her life and struggles.
Waiting for her in heaven Besides her parents include her daughter, Jessica Marie Brooks who passed away in 1982 as well as her stepson, James P. Brooks Jr. who passed away in 2020 and her brother, Leslie Hildreth.
Left to cherish her memory besides her daughter, Johnna Brooks of Saratoga Springs include her 3 grandchildren who knew Joanne as Mema; Brenna Sage Brooks, Autumn Rayne Brooks, and Logan Michael Tucker all of Saratoga Springs; her step-daughter, Kathleen Brooks of Gansevoort; her siblings, Robert Hildreth (Kim) of Missouri, Karen Wann (Robert) of San Antonio, TX, James Hildreth of Wisconsin, Cheryl Cousins and Nancy Hildreth Wellons (Lamar) all of San Antonio, TX; her former husband, James P. Brooks Sr. of Whitehall; her very close friend Charlene Bessette; as well as many nieces and nephews between Whitehall and San Antonio, Texas.
Joanne requested simplicity and friends may call from 1 to 2pm on Monday, May 9, 2022, at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY followed by a service at 2pm at the funeral home.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.