In Loving Memory

Shirley Ann Brooking

Shirley Ann Guse was the first of 12 children born in 1932 to Carl F. and Mary Matilda Hotchkiss Guse. Longbranch, on the Key Peninsula, Washington, was their home, however, Shirley was born in Gig Harbor, WA. Shirley attended Lakebay Grade School through the seventh grade. Then attended Vaughn High School for eighth grade and then moved to Bremerton. She attended ninth grade at George Dewey Junior High and graduated in 1950 from Bremerton High School.

Life was full of interesting challenges. She married her high school sweetheart, George R. Brooking at the little brown church on the corner of 6th and Chester Avenue in Bremerton, in September of 1950 and together they had three children who survive her: Stephanie M. Wells, Gary R. Brooking, and Nora M. Downard.

Shirley not only was a homemaker but worked from an early age as a "Mother's Helper", an elevator operator, bookkeeper for the Kitsap/Bremerton Christian Schools, as well as an office assistant and later office manager at Lincoln Avenue Bible Church in Bremerton, the family's home-church. After moving to Eastern Washington, in 2015, she made her church home at the Inchelium Community Church and printed their weekly bulletin as her gift of service to her Lord.

George pre-deceased her after 62 wonderful years. She often said that while they married young, she is grateful for the time they had and would not change a thing. They both accepted Christ as personal LORD and Savior in the early years of marriage. (Another major life decision never to be regretted.)

Shirley is further survived by eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren with a great-great grandchild on the way. Her cremains will be interred with her husband's at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington.

The family thanks Hospice of Spokane WA for their compassion and care of Shirley during her last days. According to Shirley's wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, 120 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005-4001.