OBITUARY: Barbara Lynne Brooks, 81, of Melbourne Passes Away February 22

She built community wherever she was

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Barbara Lynne Brooks, 81, of Melbourne, Florida, died at 10 a.m. Monday, February 22, 2021, in her daughter’s home with family by her side.

Born September 11, 1939 in Burlington, Iowa, she was the daughter of George Kenneth and Madge Meredith Gardiner.

On June 16, 1962, she married the love of her life, Michael L. Brooks in Burlington, Iowa. He was her life-long sweetheart and partner.

She was a 1957 graduate of Burlington High School and went on to study and earn her B.S. in teaching and instructional technology at Western Illinois University in 1961.

She had a widely varied career, working as a teacher, a computer programmer, a professional book editor and publisher, and eventually an entrepreneur and independent insurance agent. Lynne loved following and watching sports, and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes fan.

Lynne was a dedicated and loving wife, mom, grandma, great grandma (Gigi), friend, and neighbor. She loved to travel, play cards and board games, listen to music, but most of all enjoy time with her friends and family.

She built community wherever she was, most recently at The Fountains and before that at Compass Pointe in Melbourne.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Mike, and her brother Larry Gardiner.

Survivors include her daughter Jennifer of Melbourne and son Chris of Hammondsport, NY; brother Don; 5 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Ammen Family Cremation & Funeral Care in Melbourne. A graveside service will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, IA at a later date.

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