Theresa C. Brooks

CLARKSVILLE – Theresa Claire Marie (Cote) Brooks, 85, of Clarksville, passed away at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH, on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, after a sudden illness. She was born to the late Frank and Jeanette (Poirier) Cote on March 19, 1935, in Berlin, NH. God came and took Theresa by the hand and gave her angel wings, and took her to heaven where she could be without pain and join her loved ones that passed before her. Any one of us who were fortunate to have known her was blessed to have this wonderful woman in their lives. Even if she had just met you, it didn't take long before you were in the house having something delicious that she had made. It didn’t matter who you were, a neighbor, friend, relative, or oil man, you did not go away without something to eat. We have to laugh thinking back on some of the grandchildren’s comments over the years. Her favorite was that she “was like the witch in ‘Hansel & Gretel’ except for a couple of facts… she was nice, she'd feed you, but she didn't try to eat us.” Every one of the grandchildren, without fail, would look forward to getting into her cookie jar. Theresa was the kindest, most giving, loving and understanding woman that God had given us. If there was ever a heart made of gold, it was hers. Our only regret is that we weren’t able to have her with us longer. Up in heaven she is pain free and with loved ones. We need to let them love and hold and comfort her now while we take care of each other here on earth and until we can see her again. Theresa grew up in various places, including Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. She came to live in Clarksville when she was 12 years old. She married her loving husband of 68 years, Lester Brooks on April 26, 1952. Their first residence was on Hall Stream in Pittsburg. They moved to Clarksville in 1958 where they spent many years raising their 4 children. In 1983 they moved to Stewartstown where they lived for two years before returning to their current home. She was a hard and tireless worker all her life, never stopping a job until it was done and the job was done right. She started working as a child during the Great Depression when child labor laws weren’t as prevalent; starting at age 5, she was often required to work picking beans to be sent to soldiers during World War II. Her first official job was as a housekeeper and health aide at the Coos County Nursing Hospital when she was 14 years old and she had moved out on her own. In the 1960s, she was a janitor at the Clarksville School and would ride her bicycle to work carrying 3 of her children with her and who attended the school while she was working. She worked for the Charlie Jackson Farm picking potatoes, also in the 1960s. Her longest job was working in the rough mill at the Ethan Allen factory in Beecher Falls for over 20 years. She worked many years alongside Lester in their Christmas tree farm and maple sugaring operation. But most of all, no matter how hard it was working outside the home, she considered her first job to be a homemaker as her top priority and did a wonderful job doing it. Theresa had many hobbies that she enjoyed very much. She was the best berry picker in the family and always liked to compare containers to see who picked the most. She was a fierce competitor at Skip Bo and was always three steps ahead of the rest on her next play. She had her television shows that were on a regimented schedule that she knew by heart, “The Price is Right,” “Wheel of Fortune,” “Dr. Phil” and “America’s Got Talent” among her favorites. She loved to fish and in early retirement, both Theresa and Lester often found on their pontoon boat entertaining family and friends while they toured the area lakes. She was a skilled and avid quilt maker, knitter, and crocheter and there are many of us who have sweaters, scarves, and mittens to wear and doilies for our table tops that we will be able to pass on for generations. She also liked to snowmobile and go 4-wheeling, and doing jigsaw puzzles was also favorite pasttime. She especially enjoyed the holidays. Theresa loved trick-or-treaters on Halloween and guessing who they were behind those costumes. There was always a big crowd on Thanksgiving and she made sure each and every one was full to the brim and sent home with leftovers. There were so many people at Christmas, but no matter how many, even if an unexpected neighbor or friend dropped by, she made sure everyone had a gift or two that she had put much thought. She never missed an anniversary or birthday and never failed to send a card for each occasion. Theresa traveled with Lester extensively, often times with family and friends. She visited Niagra Falls, Nova Scotia, Germany, made several cross country trips and had winter homes with Lester in Florida. She leaves behind by her beloved husband, Lester Brooks, 3 of her children, Martha Brooks (Robert Gadwah), David Brooks (Penney Rancourt,) and Dale Brooks, all residing in Clarksville. She is also survived by one brother, Andrew Cote of Groveton. She also leaves behind grandchildren, Zelda Brooks, Joshua Seeley, Arnold Seeley, Cedric Brooks, Jesse Brooks, Hannah Brooks, Roger Gray, Krista Rodrigue, Dale Delani Brooks and Levi Brooks. Also, she will be remembered by great-grandchildren, Treed Brooks, Tony Gray, Jacob Gray, Lucas Gray, Moriah Gray, Madison Rodrigue and Colby Rodrigue. She also had many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends who she loved and felt special towards. She is predeceased by one son, Arnold Brooks; 1 grandson, Terry Brooks; 3 brothers, Hector Cote, Lawrence Cote and Robert Cote; and 4 sisters, Annette Benoit, Cecile Fagnand, Loretta Parker and Yvette Beauchemin. There are no public calling hours. A graveside interment service will be held at a later date in the Stewartstown Hollow Cemetery, and of which notice will be given. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Theresa C. Brooks

March 19, 1935 - November 8, 2020