The soul of Kathleen Mary Murphy Brooks went to our Lord and Savior on Friday, March 28th. At her passing, Kathleen was with her son, Michael, and with her beloved care taker and daughter-in-law, Marianne Brooks, wife of Russell, with whom she has resided for the past ten years. Kathleen was born on December 28, 1920, the daughter of the late James Patrick and Mary Josephine (Cooke) Murphy. Kate grew up in Hawthorne, Westchester County, New York. She attended grammar school at Saint Thomas Aquinas and continued her Catholic education at Saint Mary's High School in Katonah. In 1942, she graduated from Misericordia (Mercy) Hospital in New York City as a registered nurse. A patriot and a person dedicated to the service of others, Kathleen enlisted in the Army Nurses Corps and was sent to England where she met the dashing young soldier, Russell Brooks. Shortly after D-Day, Kathleen was sent to Omaha Beach, Normandy France. While there, Russell proposed to her from Belgium and they were married in St. Joseph's Church in Paris, France on February 8th 1945. When World War II ended, the loving young couple moved to Utica, where they resided on O'Brien Avenue in West Utica for over 50 years and where they raised their seven children. A loving wife and mother, Kathleen raised her children to lives of service, faith, strong work ethic and celebration through her example and her teachings. She rejoiced in her Irish heritage and through her faithful practice of her religion and her dedication to Irish tradition, she honored her ancestors. In her youth she was a drummer in an Irish bagpipe band, marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City and in more recent years, she found great joy in attending the Great American Irish Festival. Always a patriot, she was a loyal member of the American Legion Post 229, one of the few World War II women veterans. For her service in Normandy, Northern France, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Kathleen was honored with Campaign Ribbon awards. Recently she was selected to be the Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade in Utica and she was the honored ribbon cutter at the opening of the Veterans Outreach Center, a ceremony at which many Federal, State and local officials were in attendance. Kathleen's service to humanity took so many forms. In multiple acts of kindness, she carried forward with her nursing skills, caring for not only patients at Faxton Hospital, but also for neighbors young and old, and family members who found her ministrations to be of great comfort. These were acts of faith of a devoted Catholic who was daily in communication with her Lord through the praying of the rosary, her frequent prayers for others and her dedicated attendance at her church, most recently at St. Joseph and St. Patrick's Church. Her faithfulness deepened the faith of others. Kathleen was preceded in passing by her beloved husband, Russell, in 2001. She took great pride in his career as a firefighter, from which he retired as Captain of the Utica Fire Department. She is survived by daughter Bernadette Verna of New Hartford, son Russell and wife Marianne Brooks of Utica, son Brian and wife Colleen Brooks of Whitesboro, son Gerard of California, daughter Margaret and husband Roger Krug of Whitesboro, son Michael of Albany, and son-in-law Tim Welchons of New Hartford. Always close to her heart was the memory of her beautiful daughter, Kathie, who preceded her in death on April 8, 2012. Kathie lit up her mother's world with her smile, her kind generosity and her love. Kathleen is also survived by her beloved sixteen grandchildren. Grandson Brendan of Albany shared a special bond with his grandmother which brought her great joy. Also dearly loved are Daniel and wife Christine of Boston, Kathleen of Albany, Maureen of Albany, Patrick of Connecticut, Michael T. of Madison, John of Utica, Matthew and wife Kayla of Utica, Kerry of North Carolina, Erin of Rochester, Michael S. of Florida, Kelly and husband Daniel of New Hartford, Courtney of New York City, Timothy of Boston, Marie and husband Danny of St. Louis, and Colleen and husband Michael of Baldwinsville. Kathleen is also survived by dearly loved great-grandchildren Siena, Gavin, Roman, Sean, Brycen, Bailey, Clare, Everly, and Henry. Kathleen was an avid reader whose interests and knowledge embraced the world. She made it a practice to learn multiple languages in order to communicate with friends and neighbors. They will remember her fondly for her wit, her wisdom and her loving heart. She enjoyed her time swimming in the pool, gardening and tending her shrine to St. Francis. Her volunteer work with children took her to inner city schools where she worked to help little ones learn to read. Most of all, however, Kathleen was never happier than when she was surrounded by her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Her children reciprocated her love in such gifts as sending their Mom and Dad to France for their 35th Wedding Anniversary where they visited St. Joseph's Church in which they had exchanged their wedding vows during World War II. Mrs. Brook's funeral with military honors will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 11:00 at St. Joseph and St. Patrick's Catholic Church. A private entombment in St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the funeral mass. Those so wishing may make donations to the Mother Marianne West Side Soup Kitchen or the St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The family is grateful to Father Richard Dellos for his spiritual support through visits to Kathleen at home and in the hospital. Also, deep gratitude to Father Joseph Salerno, Chaplain for the Utica Fire Department, for his kindnesses and hospital visits and to Dr. Tomy for his gentle care. For assisting in caring for Kathleen, the family wishes to thank Charlotte Galasso and Christine Buda. The family also wishes to thank the late George Marafioti and his wife, Mae for a lifetime of friendship and support. Online messages of sympathy may be made at Heintzfuneralservice.net For our mother, Kathleenas warm as a summer breeze, pretty as a mile of roses, and funny as an Irish angelwith love always.