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In memory of
Elizabeth Blauer Brooks
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In lieu of flowers
Please consider a donation to Katherine R. Smith Scholarship Fund, Silver Creek High School, S.J..
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Elizabeth's obituary
Born in Evergreen, California east of San Jose. She lived in the bay area all her life, the last 40 years being in Pleasant Hill.
At 103 years old, Elizabeth B. Brooks was the last of three generations of the Smith-Blauer pioneer families who came to the west coast and settled here. Her grandfather, F.J. Smith, started a mercantile store (to supply those coming here in the gold rush). He was the first to offer a post office as well as giving Evergreen its name.
Liz, as she was known to family and friends, grew up in Evergreen with 2 sisters, Catherine and Georgene. They both passed away in their 70’s. Mom always expected to live a long time like her Aunt Kate Smith who made it to 103. She certainly met her goal.
She and her sisters all graduated from UC Berkeley in the 1930s. Liz married James Eric Brooks in 1943 and by 1953 bore 3 children: Carol, James and Janice, in that order. Her husband, James, died in 1957 after which she single handedly provided for her family as a high school teacher and middle school dean of girls at Central Junior High in Pittsburg, CA. By the mid 70’s she gained a masters degree from San Francisco State University.
After retiring, Liz pursued some of her lifelong interests: dancing, swimming and traveling both in her motorhome and on cruise ships. Genealogy had become of great interest to her before it was a popular thing to do. She did her own research traveling to Germany, Switzerland and many other European countries and the UK. She traced one family line back to the 1500,s in Germany. Through her reaching out to contact possible distant relatives she established a lasting friendship with Ursula and Dieter Link, descendants from the same great father, Johan Smith, of Ober-hilbersheim, Germany.
Her love of travel and interest in geography took her to all but one continent. In her motorhome she visited most North American states and Canada.
Liz is survived by 3 children; Carol Brooks Mallory, James Ronald Brooks, Janice L. Brooks Lytle and 5 grand -children.
In accordance with Liz’s wishes there will be no formal service held. Her ashes will be buried next to husband Jim and parents, George and Clara Blauer in the Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Katherine R. Smith scholarship fund in the San Jose Unified School District or a charity of your choice in her name is preferred.
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In lieu of flowers
Please consider a donation to Katherine R. Smith Scholarship Fund, Silver Creek High School, S.J..
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a donation to Katherine R. Smith Scholarship Fund, Silver Creek High School, S.J..
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Created with love by
Carol Mallory.
