Shirley Ann Brooks

Shirley Ann Wilkins Hankins Brooks (83), a long-time Salem resident, passed away on April 5, 2025, in Albany Oregon. Her Memorial Service/Celebration of Life is on Saturday, April 19th an 10:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: 1615 SE 28th Ave, Albany, OR 97322. All who wish to attend are welcome. Her internment will be on April 15 at 10:30 am at Willamette National Cemetery. Arrangements were made by McHenry Funeral Home of Corvallis. Shirley was born in El Cajon, California on May 22, 1941, to Jean Joy Mowbray and Donald Owen Carmichael Wilkins. Her stepfather, and the only father she knew, was Ernest Darrell Hankins. Shirley had the interesting experience of living all over the state of California, often attending 6-8 schools a year. She graduated from Lodi High School in 1959; the only school she attended for a complete school year. She married the love of her life, Ronald Ross Brooks, on November 26th, 1960, shortly after receiving her cosmetology associates degree from Riverside Community College. As a young mother she moved many times within California and Oregon; always steadily northward. They finally settled in Salem, Oregon. Shirley tried her hand at many jobs: hairdresser, house-keeper, library assistant, and real estate agent; but she found her true avocation as a florist in 1982 when she took a floral arrangement course at Chemeketa Community College and was hired by her instructor to work at Jerry’s. Thus began a long and rewarding career as a florist and shop manager. She worked in many towns, because she was the spouse of a wanderer, as a florist throughout the 80’s and 90’s. She retired in the early 2000’s. Shirley was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She held many callings, from Primary teacher to Primary President, as a Librarian and a Sunday School teacher. Her favorite calling by far was serving on the Relief Society Activities Committee, which she did for many years; often concurrent with other callings. She loved teaching the sisters of the Church how to do anything domestic, crafty, or vocational. If she didn’t know how to do something she would study and practice it until she could. Shirley and Ron served as Service Missionaries for the Church for 18 months in 2005-2006. They worked in the LDS Employment Center during the day and did fellowship in the evenings. They helped many residents of Salem learn important job skills and successfully placed many of them in good jobs. Shirley specialized in resumes and interview practice. She was a whiz at proof reading resumes, which skill was used by many members of her family as well. Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald Ross Brooks by 15 years. She also lost her dear brother, Ronald Dean Hankins and nephew Robert Paul Hankins; both way too young. Shirley is survived by her daughters: Teresa Cheryl & Timothy Robert Quiner MD and Rhonda Robin & James Wayne Chase. Her son: Ross Jay & Kelli Vee Brooks. Her siblings: Carol Sue Bird, Timothy Vern Hankins, Cheryl Ann Barnes Hankins Adams and Daniel Lester and Kathleen Hankins. Her eight grandchildren: Trevor Elisha Quiner, Aimee Elizabeth Rose Otis Chase Irland, Drystan Quiner, Megan Kae Brooks Doramus, Kirsten Jean Quiner, Krystal Lyn Brooks Harn, Jayson Vee Brooks and Kyleigh May Brooks. Her three Great-Granddaughters: Sophia Kahren Quiner, Emma Jean Charlotte Doramus and Juniper Rose Harn. Her nieces and nephews: Amber Hankins Smalley, Coeta Smalley, Michael Smalley, Hunter Smalley, Eric Hankins, Shawn Hankins, Elizabeth Bolinger, Lane Bolinger, Naomi Hilliard, Sara Hankins Jurgens, Jayna Jurgens, Aleczander Jurgens, Hayleigh Jurgens, Braxton Jurgens, Cassandra Gallager Hankins, Emmah Hankins, Robert Hankins Jr, Jeremy Hankins, Joshua Hankins, Cassandra Hankins and many more too numerous to include. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the employees of Brookdale Alzheimer’s and Memory Care in Albany, OR and the employees of Signature Hospice who all worked tirelessly in providing Shirley with the care she needed in her last months and especially through her last days. We couldn’t have done it without you.

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Shirley Ann Brooks

May 22, 1941 - April 5, 2025