Brooks, Grace Julia Stillwell

03-22-1924 ~ 07-10-2010 Grace passed away the morning of 
July 10th in her Seattle pied a terre, she made it to 86. She 
wore a brave face the nine years since her husband Dick's 
death, but the cumulative effects of broken hips, stroke, and 
Dementia finally overcame her. Grace was born in Seattle circa 
1924 at the Old Columbia Hotel. The heavy red velvet drapery 
in the room scandalized her English immigrant mother, Lucy 
Grace Pocock. At the age of 2 days Grace had to have bangs 
cut in her long brown hair; and so began a lifetime of 
unfortunate haircuts. Grace grew up in Ravenna, her father 
James B. Stillwell owned Stillwell Brothers Contracting. 
Responsible for landmark projects such as the Denny Regrade, 
the Ship Canal, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and countless 
infrastructure, Grace saw first hand the metamorphosis of 
Seattle. Graduated from the University of Washington with a 
degree in English, she had spent her first two years of higher 
education at WSC. Always a Cougar at heart, despite Apple Cup 
tensions at home with her Husky husband. After college, Grace 
and her girlfriends bicycled through England at the conclusion 
of WWII. Upon return Grace became employed at 'The Can' 
American Can Corp. She was an executive secretary to six 
managers, her favorite boss summing up her multitasking skills 
thus 'Doll, when you think we loose the ball game'. Measuring 
in at six feet tall, Grace knew how to make an entrance. Never 
a shortage of tall suitors, Grace collected seven proposals 
before saying yes. The loss of her first love Martin 'Mutt' Neils 
in a car accident profoundly effected Grace. Always looking for 
a man that could measure up to his memory, she waited until 
her 30's, well past the family giving up on her, before she 
claimed Richard J. Brooks. In Dick she found a hiking and skiing 
partner; and in Grace he found a sounding board and project 
coordinator. Together they built a house, raised two 
daughters, fought for many environmental causes, and traveled 
the world. Grace was the last of her family generation, her four 
siblings preceding her in death: Jay Stillwell, Margaret Stillwell, 
Sam Stillwell, and Betty Stillwell Neils. Her daughters Carol 
Brooks Huckle, and Heidi Brooks Danilchik carry on with 
Grace's precious granddaughters Maile Kai Danilchik and Lucy 
Elizabeth Huckle. A party celebrating the life and times of 
Grace will be held at The Seattle Tennis Club, Thursday, July 
22nd from 3:00 to 6:00. Friends and family are welcome to 
come share memories. Please send in memoriams to the 
environmental cause of your choice or, in lieu of memorial 
donations, Grace suggests you take a hike or a ski run in her 
memory.

Published in The Seattle Times from July 14 to July 22, 2010