Nancy Brosnahan Brooker, of Fairway, Kansas, died March 24,2015.
Nancy was born on February 6, 1941 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Robert and Grace Brosnahan. Nancy was an alumnus of the Barstow School and attended the University of Missouri and University of Michigan, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
As a member of the Junior League of Kansas City Missouri, Nancy became involved in the Great Books Program, a classical literature program for grade school students. Nancy later coordinated this program in public and private grade schools throughout the metro area. Nancy also served as Director of Development for the Barstow School for 13 years, overseeing fundraising, publications and alumni activities.
Nancy is survived by her husband and best friend, Donald Brooker. Nancy and Don were inseparable for 35 years until the moment of her passing. Their love of travel and adventure led them to reside to Saint Jean de Luz, France for 6 years in the 1990s, where they played golf, tennis, bottled and drank wine, and cleaned up at bridge tournaments throughout France. The small French town was curious about these fun-loving, athletic, life-master bridge playing Americans, yet Nancy and Don’s engaging humor and friendliness quickly led to many close, lasting friendships.
Nancy and Don returned to the Kansas City area in 1998 to be close to their children, grandchildren, and friends. Nancy was her family’s rock, never hesitating to provide reassurance, praise and unqualified support to her children and grandchildren. Her sense of humor was equaled only by Don, and laughter was their primary form of communication.
In addition to Don, Nancy is survived by her two children from her first marriage to Ralph Wright: Hilary (Zachary) Rudman of Leawood, KS, and John (Amy) Wright of Darien, CT, along with her six grandchildren, Henry and Grace Rudman, and Samantha, Charlie, Annie, and Katie Wright. Nancy is also survived by her brother, Robert (Sandy) Brosnahan and his family, and sister, Brenda (Charles) Louis and her family, as well as her step-sons, Steve (Peggy) Brooker of Overland Park, KS, Brian (Beth) Brooker of Leawood, KS, and Brad (Mary) Brooker of Overland Park, KS, and her seven step-grandchildren, Nick, Todd, Joey, Ava, Will, Ben and Audrey Brooker.
A celebration of life service will be held at Unity Temple on the Plaza on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 2pm.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Peter and Linda Van Veldhuizen for their love, friendship, and support throughout Nancy’s illness, and to the Kansas City Hospice House for their loving care during Nancy’s final days. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care.