Jean (Lynch) Brooks

Jean Brooks, age 82, of Spring Street, Johnsonburg, died February 13, 2023, at home after a lengthy illness.  A daughter of the late William Thornton and Bertha (Raffeinner) Lynch, she was born on November 4, 1940 in Johnsonburg, PA.  On June 9, 1960 she married Louis A. Brooks, who predeceased her on July 8, 1966.

Jean is survived by: four daughters, Cristal Brooks of Johnsonburg DeAnna Brooks of St. Marys, Mitzie Spangler of Wichita, KS and Marie Stine of Brockway, PA; five grandchildren, Michael Cherry, Seth Gnan, Jake Stine and Rusty Lawson, Bonus Granddaughter and so special to Jeannie, Rusty received Jean's last Earthly smile; five great-grandchildren, Kaylynn Lawson, Brady Meyers, Liam Curci, Nyjah Mann and Amiyah Carrero; and two sisters, Janet Tassone of Johnsonburg and Joan Challingsworth of St. Marys.

Preceded in death by: her husband, her mother and father, granddaughters Kaysie Mann and Stevie Mann, Donald Challingsworth, a beloved brother-in-law, Scott Horchen, special nephew, and grandson, Traves Plummer.

Born and raised in Johnsonburg, Jeannie was a survivor of her tenuous home birth in the house her mother, Bertha Lynch, built on Mill Street in Johnsonburg. 

After graduating from Johnsonburg Area High School in 1958, Jean proudly served her country, entering the Air Force at age 18. She served at Fort McGuire's Air Force base in New Jersey where she met her future husband Louis A. Brooks.

Jean had a golden servant's heart. She took care of many elderly people, including her mother and father, and was Johnsonburg's FREE 'Uber' before we knew what an Uber was.

Not just a kind and beautiful soul, Jeanie was also a beautiful woman.  Rumor had it that when young Jeannie Lynch would walk by the Paper Mill, "The whole place would tilt because the guys would run to the windows to watch her walk by..."

Jean lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Cristal was born, and Wilmington, Delaware, where her husband was from and DeAnna was born. Sometime after the death of her husband, the young family relocated back to Johnsonburg in 1972.

Jeannie retired from Stackpole in 1978. Jean also worked the Elk County voting polls in Johnsonburg.

Jeannie loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time and money on them. She loved hanging out with her grandchildren and surprising them with her willingness to try just about anything ~ including jumping off Jake's Rocks in her late seventies.

Jeannie was blessed to be able to enjoy numerous vacations with family, and friends, and ~ most dear to Jean were trips with ~her mother Bertha. Two of her favorites were when they traveled to Germany to visit Jean's daughter, Cristal, while Cristal was stationed at Hahn Air Force Base. 

Jean was an animal lover, especially cats, and was known by many as Johnsonburg's "Cat Lady" (Update: we are no longer accepting cats).

The youngest of four sisters, Jean always pursued her passions and did things her way. Often bucking societal norms and expectations of her time. 

Against the advice of many, Jeannie married her husband Louis A. Brooks on June 9. 1960. Those who knew them called theirs "A Match Made in Heaven..."

We can only begin to imagine the Valentine's Day celebration enjoyed by these lovebirds after almost 57 years apart.  Our hearts were neither ready nor prepared, but our unselfish souls are rejoicing with you, mommy and daddy...give Stevie and Kaysie and all our children and other family members all our love.

Jean will be eulogized by the Reverend Doctor Robert Joaquin Willis who also baptized her in 1995 in the East Branch Damn.

There will be no public visitation.

The family will be receiving friends on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Ubel Funeral Home of Johnsonburg.

Funeral services will be held, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Ubel Funeral Home with Reverend Doctor Robert Joaquin Willis.

Military Honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg/Ridgway Servicemen’s Detail.  Service members are asked to assemble at the Funeral Home, 10:45 a.m., Saturday, March 4, 2023.

The family suggests memorials to the Elk County Humane Society or The Mecca-Mann Mission, Inc. and will be accepting online condolences at the Ubel Funeral Home website (www.nedzafamilyfuneralhomes.com.

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