Babette "Bobbie" Brooks

Babette, who was known to her closest family and friends as "Bobbie", was born on a warm November day in St. Louis, Missouri.  She was the fourth child and only daughter born to John A. and Ethel M. Macke.  Growing up with 3 older brothers resulted in her becoming a bit of a tomboy, constantly competing with them and their friends, and occasionally resisting her mother and grandmother about how a young lady should dress.  Having a keen interest in American history, particularly the Civil War and World War II, Bobbie set out to study history in college after graduating from Bishop DuBourg High School in St. Louis.

However, after just a year she altered her plans and began working at Washington Inventory Service, where she ultimately met her husband-to-be, Ken Brooks, during the summer of 1977.  After marrying on June 28, 1980 in St. Louis, she moved to Detroit, Michigan (Ken's home town) to set up their first homestead, a modest upper flat in an old neighborhood of suburban Dearborn.  Ken's subsequent pursuit of a career led them to move to Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Little Rock over the next 4 years and to ultimately settle in Lenexa, Kansas (Kansas City area) in 1992.  Along the way, Bobbie gave birth to 3 children: the first one in Indianapolis, then the twins in Little Rock less than 2 years later.  Subsequently, 3 grandchildren have come along: Sophie, 12; Kieran, 5; and Baby Paxton, 5 months.  She loved go visit them any chance she could get, which usually meant taking a trip to San Diego, California, at times by herself.

Bobbie was a stay-at-home mom for several years, having her hands full with 3 kids so close together in age.  This allowed her time to pursue her passions of reading and writing, the latter being a fantasy novel that cast herself as the main character.  Her goal was to have it published as a single copy, although she did print it out at over 1000 pages.  Today, it sits safely tucked away in a box and on a jump drive.  She also enjoyed listening to music from the 1970s and '80s along with praise & worship songs.

As Ken was approaching retirement age, they began to pursue more traveling opportunities, including cruises and trips that generally involved driving around the country.  She achieved the goal of getting to all 50 states, which was accomplished last November on a drive to Seattle, Washington from Kansas City.  Her greatest goal was to travel to Europe and take a cruise on the Danube and Rhine Rivers.  However, life can be short, and these dreams will forever remain unfulfilled.

Bobbie was beloved by all who knew her.  During the past few years, she spent time assembling the family tree and reconnecting with some of her relatives as well as old friends from her school days.

Preceding in death are her parents, grandparents and one nephew.  Those who survive include her husband, Ken; their children, Kevin, Edward and Sharon; three grandchildren; her brothers John, William and Edward; a few aunts and uncles; and many nephews and nieces along with their descendants.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation.

https://mdf.networkforgood.com/

A visitation will be held from 6-8 PM, on Friday, September 28, at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS.  A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, on Saturday, September 29, with reception following, also at the funeral chapel.