Mrs. Brooke Joseph-Banks, 43, of 55 Partridge Run, Bristol, Conn., formerly of Waterbury, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, August 28, 2011. She was the wife of Mr. William Banks. Mrs. Joseph-Banks was born June 16, 1968, a daughter of Paul Landau of Pittsboro, N.C., and the late Patricia Blackmon.

 

Brooke, as she was known, was educated in the Waterbury public school system, graduating from Wilby High School Class of 1986. She continued her education at the University of Bridgeport where she received a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and later in 1997 she received her Master's Degree in Biology from Central Connecticut State University. In 1997 she also became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse through the Hospital of St. Raphael's School of Nursing. She had been employed by Hartford Hospital since 1997 where she worked until her passing.

 

Brooke was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She was a Christian woman, raised in the Seventh Day Adventist Church in South Norwalk where she grew up as a young child prior to moving to Waterbury with her family. She was a member of Hope Seventh Day Adventist church in Bloomfield, Conn., where she worked tirelessly seeking souls for the Kingdom. She was a phenomenal cook and an avid nature lover who enjoyed spending quality time with her family. Brooke, as beautiful as she was on the outside, cannot compare to the beauty she carried on the inside. She ensured that all of those around her felt loved, cherished and welcomed. She will be missed dearly. The countless memories of her will warm our hearts forever. She was a ray of radiant light. Her eternal legacy will live on through her husband, children, family and friends. Besides her husband William of 13 years, she leaves to mourn her passing two sons, Jordan Isaiah Banks and Jacoby Alexander Banks both of Bristol; one brother, David Blackmon of Waterbury; stepmother Sara Landau of Pittsboro, N.C.; mother-in-law Helen Banks of Waterbury; sister in law, Brenda (Curtis) Gaines of Waterbury; five aunts, Iris Hilton, Irene (Bradford) Smith and Lillie (Ernest) Carnegie all of Kingsland, Ga., Johnette Jarrett of Spring, Texas, Karyta (Ricky) Allgood of Jacksonville, Fla.; one uncle, Richard (Ruth) Landau of Acton, Mass.; cousins, extended family and a host of friends.

 

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at Zion Baptist Church 137 Pearl Street, with Elder Shirley Graves officiating. Burial will be in New Pine Grove Cemetery. Calling hour will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at the church. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service and at all other times at her home 55 Partridge Run in Bristol. Contributions can be made to Trust Fund of William Banks, FBO Banks, Children Memorial Fund, Sovereign Bank, 6 Federal Street, Bristol, CT 06010. Arrangements have been entrusted to Chapel Memorial Funeral Home 35-37 Grove Street.

Published in The Hartford Courant on September 4, 2011