ALICE BROOKER

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ALICE BROOKER After a long decline due to Alzheimer's disease, the family wishes to announce the peaceful passing of Alice Marguerite Brooker (nee Fogel), aged 89, on Tuesday, August 23, 2016. Alice is survived and will be lovingly remembered by sons Gary (Pamela) and Stuart (Pamela); daughter-in-law Lillian; brothers Michael and Norman (Esther); sister-in-law Rhina; grandchildren Alana (Matthew), Melanie (Michael), Ivy, Samantha (Andrew), Rachel, Orly and Noah; great-grandchildren Hartley, Avery and Ben; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and many close friends. Alice was predeceased by her parents Sam and Freda Fogel, husband Larry, son Brian, brother Cyril (Bernice), and sister Marian. Alice was born in Winnipeg on April 29, 1927. A fine student, she was also always interested in popular culture and liked to relate how eagerly she had anticipated the 1939 film version of her favourite novel at the time, "Gone with the Wind". As the oldest child in her family, Alice was looked up to by her younger siblings and set a worthy example for them to follow. In later years, Alice was her long-widowed mother's best friend and confidant, spending an hour on the phone with her every day. As a young adult, Alice became known for her beauty and fashion sense; these were lifelong characteristics. While never seeming outwardly vain, she nonetheless took great pride in her appearance. When complimented for her outfit or accessories by her granddaughters, she would often wink knowingly and reply, "your baba has style". Alice and Larry married in 1953. As a stay-at-home mom married to a traveling salesman who was often absent for weeks at a time, Alice was instrumental in raising three sons to adulthood, professional careers, successful marriages and parenthood. The boys all benefited immensely from her intelligence, strong and determined nature, and wise and loving guidance. A second mother to her daughters-in-law and a doting but never interfering grandmother, Alice was dearly loved by her grandchildren. Unfortunately, the onset and progression of her dementia meant that her great-grandchildren never really got to know her in the same way. Alice had many and varied interests. An avid reader, she was a member of several book clubs. She played mahjong and subsequently bridge for years with friends, excelling at the latter and accumulating many master points. She was a whiz at crossword puzzles and the go-to person for identifying familiar-faced but otherwise obscure character actors in the pre-internet days. She loved cooking and entertaining; her holiday dinners are still celebrated to this day. Long before and well into their retirement years, Alice and Larry traveled to Europe, Israel, China, Hong Kong and Australia, vacationed in Hawaii and Mexico, and spent many winters in Florida and, especially, Palm Springs. When Larry became progressively disabled in his later years, Alice was his uncomplaining caregiver, even as her dementia was becoming apparent. The funeral took place on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery. The graveside service was conducted by Cantor Anibal Mass. Pallbearers were Michael Coodin, Andrew Krichkowski, Paul Kowall, Joey Pollock, Shale Chochinov and Benji Hecht. Sincere thanks to the staff of Simkin 2 at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre for their special care and attention to Alice over the last four years. We know they appreciated her pleasant, uncomplaining and dignified demeanor. To honour Alice's life, donations may be made to the Larry Brooker Fund at the Jewish Foundation, the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, or the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 24, 2016