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In memory of

Doris "Doodle" Joe Brooks

Boulder Creek, CA, USA

December 18, 1937 - August 25, 2020

Dec 18, 1937 - Aug 25, 2020

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Doris Joe Brooks, age 83 of Boulder Creek, CA, passed away on August 25, 2020, 5 days into a mandatory evacuation due to the CZU Lightning Complex Fire after a long battle with Interstitial Lung Disease likely caused by second hand smoke and a toxic reaction to a medication. The stress of being evacuated from her home and being admitted to a nursing home Driftwood Care Center in Santa Cruz, coupled with not being able to see her daughter the caregiver, due to Covid 19 likely contributed to her unexpected exit.

Doris was born on December 18, 1937 to Jimmie and Edna Brooks in Milpitas, CA. After graduating from Weaverville High School in 1955, she went on to join the US Air Force, briefly.

After a medical discharge, she excelled as a File Clerk/Receptionist/Secretary with the Civil Service and US Forest Department and served in that capacity on and off for many years with other companies as well.

In 1955, she met John H. Van Mill and they wed October 3, 1956, going on to have 1 child, Curtis Dale Van Mill. In her second marriage to William Orville Lefler, in 1962, she had a daughter, Susan Lee White Rose. No children resulted from her third marriage to Edward E. Cudney in 1983. Doris remarried William Lefler a couple of years after.

Doris was passionate about genealogy and discovering her family's roots and when she wasn’t filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found in her office, researching. She took up oil painting and created many beautiful landscapes and still lifes. She will be greatly missed.
Doris was predeceased by her sister Mary Scheneman, brothers James L. Brooks and Gordon (Sonny) A. Brooks, and husband William O. Lefler. She is survived by her daughter and son, two grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
There was a memorial service offered simultaneously online thru Zoom due to travel and group meetings restrictions from Covid 19 at Corralitos Community Church at Corralitos, CA, on October 9th, 2020 officiated by long time family friend, Theo Myer. Donations were requested in lieu of flowers to benefit the local Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department in grateful remembrance for all their help in keeping mom in her home.

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