Jacquelyn M Brooks

Jacquelyn M. (White) Brooks was born in Chester, South Carolina to Legrand C. White Sr. and Josie Head White on May 11, 1950.  Her family moved to Boston when she was 16 years old. Jackie, as she was known to her family and friends, attended Girls High School and later received her GED. It was during that time she met and later married George Brooks.  

In 1978, Jackie began working at the Polaroid Corporation.  She was employed at the company for 17 years before she received the opportunity to realize one of her goals of finally obtaining her high school diploma and graduated from the Don Bosco Technical High School in 1995 before voluntarily retiring from the company in 1996.  After a short break, she went back to work as a Front Desk Receptionist at Hearth, Inc. formerly Committee to End Elder Homelessness, Inc. before retiring from the workforce in 2015.

Being a devoted wife and mother, Jackie’s family came first...unless she was reading a good Harlequin Romance novel then all bets were off.  You could usually find her at home reading with the music on while watching television on mute and occasionally playing slot machine games on her tablet to pass the time.  Yes, this would all be happening at the same time.

Jackie had a big heart and was fiercely protective of her loved ones. She proudly bragged about her kids and showed off everything the grandkids gifted her.  She was quick to laugh and loved a good joke.  Her sense of humor was a little dark and sometimes inappropriate, something she was happy to find that she passed down to her children.  She was also strong, spirited, and stubborn.  All characteristics she would utilize during her five-year battle with Metastatic Endometrial Cancer.

During her years of treatment, Jackie was determined to participate in some of the important milestones like her grandchildren’s graduation celebrations. Her strength and love for her family kept her going when she thought she had nothing left to give. She fought long and she fought hard.

Jackie passed away on January 16, 2021.  Saying she lost the battle would be wrong because she never stopped fighting. She is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, George R. Brooks; son Ronald Q. (Lisa) Brooks of Pocasset; daughter Jachiquette “Sam” Brooks of Quincy; brothers George (Christine) White of Weymouth and Horace White of Boston; grandchildren Eris, Quentin, and Zyon Brooks; and an assorted number of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Legrand C. White Sr., Josie Head White, and Virginia White along with her brother, Legrand C. White Jr. 

Her family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

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