Jill “Jillian” Deanna Brooks
There is only but a silence of the soul when we lose a precious child. A child of God, who for some reason called on Jill “Jillian” Brooks to join him in his Kingdom of Heaven. Jillian was an incredible individual with a remarkable soul who has gone to Heaven and we will all cherish our memories we have shared with her. Throughout Jillian’s life, she held several titles: Mother, Daughter, Sister, Granddaughter, Cousin, Niece and Friend. Now she has a new title to add to her list, our Guardian Angel.
Jillian lost her battle with Triple Negative Breast Cancer at age 43 on June 26, 2018 at Pikes Peak Hospice &Palliative Care in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jillian had devoted herself to researching a more natural approach to treating her type of aggressive breast cancer and wanted to educate people on the negative effects of chemotherapy and on the pressures to not do it. Jillian was born at Marian Hospital in Santa Maria, California on December 23, 1974, and grew up in Nipomo, but spent most of her adult life in Old Orcutt, California. Jillian had recently moved to Colorado to get help with her care for herself and her son from her sister Edel, and had hoped to beat her cancer in a more natural environment.
Jillian, you were always so spiritual, artistic, talented, and your children’s books you authored were both extraordinary and unique. You were tough, but you had a soft heart. You loved animals (especially cats) and wanted to be a Veterinarian as a child. Above everything else you loved, you loved your son, Lyric. A love in which you explained was an unconditional love that was all that you needed to be happy in life.
Jillian, you leave behind your sweet son, Lyric, who says he will talk to you every night while praying to God because he knows that you are there with him. When asked to share one of his favorite and last special things you did for him, Lyric exclaimed “My Mom let me be with Auntie Edel, Uncle Paul and Brooks. Now I have a Brother and a Dad!” Jillian, as the oldest of five girls (poor Dad), you also leave behind a rather large family who all love you very much. Your Mother, Pamela Colleen Brooks (maiden name Nelson), and Father, Ricky Lee Brooks are devastated having lost you. They are both left with an empty void as you are the first child that they have lost. As we can only imagine, losing a child is the hardest thing a parent can ever go through.
There are so many important people who are grieving having lost you, Jillian. Starting with your four loving sisters, followed by your three amazing brother in-laws, an incredible significant other, and a loving cousin. As we cannot possibly list everyone, we will stick to the traditional list of immediate family (with exception). We will start from the oldest to youngest of sisters and include spouses. Amber, Jillian’s “twin” and best friend since childhood, there for you throughout your life, and by your side in the end. Geoffrey, Amber’s Husband, who Jillian once told (before Geoffrey met Amber), “You will love my sister, Amber” and she was right! Your sister, Mariah, who was your calmer and “mother-like” other half (especially compared to the other sisters). Liam, Mariah’s Husband, who has taken care of Lyric like a boss because, let’s face it, Mariah was clueless. Edel, Paul and Brooks, who will always love, cherish and care for Lyric (he is being crazy spoiled!) Your littlest sister, Coral, who has a huge heart and dropped everything to get you your juice and be by your side after your surgery. You two may have bumped heads, but she’d do it all again in a heartbeat if she could. And, Jack, Coral’s man, who has provided nothing but love and support to the Brooks family. Finally, Elise Paquette, your beloved cousin. Elise is an exceptional human being and certainly belongs in the mentioning of immediate family members. There are so many other people we would like to mention (Lizzy and Heidi, for example), but we would have a novel if we started listing friends.
In loving memory of Jillian and per her request, we are creating a movie of her life and will upload it to her Facebook page (Mariah is doing all the video work – thank you, Yaya). Jillian wants Lyric to have the ability to watch it and see her when he grows up. She wants everyone who loves her to comment on the video, or just on her Facebook page, with a short story about a memory they share with her – funny, serious, scary… whatever. She wants Lyric to know her when he grows up – crazy stories are especially welcomed. This was her final request to celebrate her life in lieu of a funeral or party. Nothing but memories, like a journal, written by everyone who has ever loved her. Having a journal of her life was the most important request Jillian had as Lyric, family, and friends will be able to cherish it for years to come.
In the end, please know that you, Jillian, brought our family back together again. You did it – you made us stronger than we have EVER been! We love you. You, Jillian, showed us what truly matters in life and for that we all thank you, forever and for always!!!
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