Rita Mae Brooks

Surrounded by loving family, Rita “Mae” Brooks, age 89, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, February 7, 2020 during a short stay at The Willows in Bellevue. Mae was born on February 6, 1931 in Alvarado, Virginia, the daughter of the late Robert L. and Nelia (Stuart) Maines. On September 16, 1950, Mae married the late Elery C. Brooks and together they raised four children.

Mae was often found in the kitchen, where she enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, especially her famous strawberry dumplings and legendary biscuits and gravy, which she made from scratch. She adored the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren baking her delicious cookies or playing a game of cards. Mae loved being outside and during her golden years, became a devoted bird watcher.

Mae is survived by her children, Dennis Brooks, Susan (Dennis) Miller, Peggy (Thomas) Norton, and her primary caregiver for the last decade, Mary (Lee) Matter, all of Bellevue; her grandchildren, Denise Greenawald, Eddie Brooks, Amy Williams, Adam Miller, Crystal Pruitt, Nancy Evans, Brooks Wott, Sarah Matter, Erin Dickey, and Laura Matter; and many great-grandchildren; and her brother Charles Maines, of Clyde.

In addition to her parents, Mae is preceded in death by her husband, Elery; her siblings, Cliff Maines, Robert Maines, Evelyn (Maines) Smith, Dale Maines, Bill Maines, James Maines, Virginia Maines, Bradley Maines, and Wava (Maines) Belknap; and granddaughters, Dawn (Brooks) Vargas and Danielle (Brooks) Tester.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 12 from 5pm-8pm at Foos & Foos Funeral Home, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue. Funeral service will be on Thursday, February 13 beginning at 11am, also at Foos & Foos Funeral Home. Burial will follow at York Cemetery in Bellevue.

Memorials may be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH  44870

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.foosfuneral.com

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