The Beach says goodbye to a neighbour and a friend
Husband wrote of wife’s last days on Facebook, touching many who never met her
As Kathryn Brooks was dying, friends, family and total strangers followed her journey on Facebook, reading about her brave battle with cancer chronicled for months by her husband on social media.
Many of them were moved to tears Saturday when they gathered at St. James Crematorium Chapel to say goodbye to her and celebrate her life.
But their hearts were also lightened when relatives, friends, neighbours and husband Nicholas Brooks shared memories of a woman who’d touched so many, even those who only knew her via the Internet on the Beaches Facebook group.
Dressed in the same vest he’d worn at their wedding and shoes set aside for special occasions, Brooks returned to happy days starting from the moment they met at a downtown bar 23 years ago, next Thursday. And he wore his heart on his sleeve.
It’s where he’d spotted “a beautiful stranger,” across a crowded room, downed a double scotch and mus- tered up the courage to introduce himself. While standing at the lectern, the chapel’s brilliant stained glass window behind him, Brooks proudly held up the bar coaster Kathryn gave him that day with her number. It brought tears to the eyes of many in the chapel.
On their first date, the couple saw the British film Truly, Madly, Deeply, “which struck such a deep cord in us that it became our mantra,” Brooks said as part of his moving eulogy. Many couldn’t help but laugh when he said his beloved admitted sometime later she really liked him from the first time they met “but was a little sad because she thought I was gay,” and figured a romantic relationship wasn’t in the cards. Six weeks after meeting, they were engaged.
For those who’d wondered where her nickname, “Flopsi,” came from, Brooks explained he gave it to her during a visit with close friends when Kathryn was invited to see the couple’s daughter’s rabbits. Each one was named Flopsi, so the little girl wouldn’t know they go to the butcher, her mother said.
“From that moment on, Kathryn was my Flopsi and she always will be,” said Brooks. “Truly, madly, deeply.”
Ian Gowens remembered his sister as “one of a kind” who had bright red hair growing up, played the oboe in school and later rode a moped as her preferred means of transport. Of her early exploits, Gowens recalled his sister who was 2 years old when she showed up in the family’s yard naked. Asked about her clothes, she replied she’d buried them.
A youthful Kathryn’s selflessness and unique way of sharing cupcakes — she’d take off the iced top for herself and magnanimously hand over the bottom to the lucky recipient of her goodness — had even more people laughing.
“What you have given each of us will be remembered forever,” said her brother, adding his sister lived life to the fullest and fought cancer with great tenacity.
Like others who spoke or wrote notes of remembrance, longtime neighbour Jim Slotek heralded his friend’s talents as a baker and treat maker renowned for her sponge toffee, lemon squares and Poppycock. Her Christmas gift baskets were a much anticipated delight. Too sick to bake this past Christmas, friends and neighbours packed tins with treats they’d made for her.
Several notes from loved ones were also read out during the service. One gave thanks. “We’re better for knowing her.” Among the celebrants, who came from around the corner and as far away as Florida and England, were several of Kathryn Brooks’ colleagues from the Ontario Public Service where she’d worked for many years and up until a few weeks before her death on Feb. 3, 2015.
They talked about her unmatched organizational skills and the kindness she showed others. Donna Robinson got to know her back in 2006 when they worked together at the ministry. They remained friends and over the years volunteered on several charity campaigns.
Janet Davis, Councillor for Toronto Ward 31, Beaches-East York, remembered her good friend for her community work on projects such as the Oakvale Residents Association reclamation of TTC lands and supporting the garden in the Greenwood Yard, a legacy to her community.
“She was the heart of the community and now the heart has been taken away. I miss her.”