Obituary of Jessica Brooks

Jessica Brooks of Thomaston died on January 23, 2012, at the Knox Center in Rockland, Maine. Born on February 24, 1942, Jessica, in her youth, lived with her adoptive mother, Leah Davis, on Knox St. in Thomaston and was known at that time to all as Linda Brooks. Jessica graduated from Thomaston High School as valedictorian in 1960. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Colby College where she minored in music. After a brief stint in advertising in New York City, Jessica was drawn to work with students from around the world while employed by the American Field Service and the Fulbright International Educational Exchange Program in Los Angeles. The many cultures of the world were always an important part of Jessica’s life. Jessica received a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from Loyola University in Los Angeles while continuing to work with the Fulbright program. She went on to join her mentor Sharon Stillwater, a Jungian psychologist and Marge Keely, a physician specializing in rehabilitation medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Albuquerque, NM, where they worked together as a rehabilitation team. Jessica enjoyed teaching psychology to community college students in Beverly, MA, for more than a decade before returning to Albuquerque to teach community college and university students. She was an adjunct member of the faculty and Ph.D. candidate at the University of New Mexico. Her work and study were cut short by the sudden challenge of cancer. Following her diagnoses, Jessica began to appreciate and understand what was most important in her life. Returning to Maine, she began writing poetry and short stories. Spending time in the outdoors brought her great joy. Jessica spent many days canoeing on Rangeley, Umbagog, and Kezar Lakes. She became an intense gardener preserving her own vegetables. She continued to be an avid reader. She loved her five Scottish Terriers and was a member of the Scottish Terrier Society of New England. During the last days of her life, Jessica helped in the editing of a collection of poems to be placed in the Bob Gagnon Suite at Pen Bay Medical Center. Jessica was very grateful for the care of Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice, Coastal Family Hospice and the Knox Center staff. Jessica is survived by her best friends Sharon Stillwater of New Mexico, Kathyrn Foley of Eddington and Betsy McRae of Thomaston. She is also survived by Rosie, her much loved Scottish Terrier who, due to Jessica’s devotion, now lives with an adopted family in Connecticut. A member of the Scottish Terrier Club of New England, Jessica greatly loved all of her five Scotties. Donations in honor of Jessica for the rescue of Scottish Terriers can be sent to STCNE Rescue, PO Box 381, Northford, CT, or to a local humane society.