For those who are not able to see the images above
TEXT VERSION:
In Loving Memory
Elva L. Brooks
Feb. 18, 1946–May 11, 2016
"According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death." (Philippians 1:20 NKJV)
Order of SERVICE
Welcome, Prayer & Announcements
Sam Cairns (Family friend)
Congregational Hymn
All the Way My Saviour Leads Me
Jim Rennie
(Former Medical Missionary to Zambia)
Video Tribute
(Song: Then Comes the Morning)
Leonard VandenBerg (son in law)
Congregational Hymn
Face to Face with Christ my Saviour
Donald Brooks (husband)
Richard Brooks (son)
Congregational Hymn
In Christ Alone
Pallbearers
Richard Brooks (son)
Leonard VandenBerg (son in-law)
Richard Brohart (husband of niece)
Matt Wilkinson (husband of niece)
Ed Brooks (brother in-law)
Nathaniel Brooks (grandson)
Lunch
Following the service, in the gym.
Burial
2:00 pm, Overholt Cemetery
Third Concession Rd,
Port Colborne, ON
BIOGRAPHY
Elva Lilias Brooks, age 70, passed into the presence of her Lord on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 3:54am, after a short struggle with cancer. She was at her Canadian home in Port Colborne, Ontario and surrounded by her loving family. Elva is survived by her husband Don Brooks; brother Graeme (Pam - deceased) Pirie, sister Marilyn (John) Lindsay; children Richard (Katherine) Brooks, Sarah (Matthew) Van Essen, Rachel (Leonard) VandenBerg; and 19 grandchildren. Predeceased by Parents Walter & Eunice Pirie, Father and Mother In-law William Nelson & Margaret Brooks, Brother & Sisters In-law, Bill & Ruth Brooks, Elizabeth Brooks, & Pam Pirie and Granddaughter Elysha Brooks.
Elva was born on February 18, 1946, in Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand, the second child to her parents, Walter & Eunice Pirie. On May 18th, 1953, at the age of 7, she realized her need for a Saviour and accepted the free gift of salvation that Jesus offers (John 3:16). Elva grew up in New Zealand and it was there that she trained as a nurse and a midwife.
In 1972, she went to Chitokoloki Mission Hospital in Zambia as a nurse and there met Don Brooks. Don and Elva married on August 20th 1975 in Ontario, Canada and returned to Kabompo, Zambia to serve the Lord together. They lived on the local Secondary School compound where Don was teaching. Elva assisted as a nurse at the Kabompo Hospital until their son, Richard, was born. She was a dedicated mother to many and always drew on her nursing skills to aid family and strangers alike. Richard was joined by sisters Sarah and Rachel and when the children were grown, Elva started teaching Religious Education at the Kabompo Secondary School. She continued to be very involved with this until 2015. Elva also continued some nursing activities, visiting with people, teaching children to read and was a mother to many young people in both Zambia and across the world.
In November 2015, Don & Elva returned to Canada for what was to supposed to be a two year period. Within three weeks of returning, Elva had some pains in her side which doctors discovered was pancreatic cancer that had spread to the liver. She was given three to six months to live and chemo was attempted, but the toll on her heart and body was too severe.
The family was able to be together over the Christmas holidays and that time was used to discuss many pertinent details - Elva was always thinking about others. Amazing doctors and nurses were attentive to her needs and all the family’s many questions. Elva took every opportunity to cuddle with or read to her grandkids, even when she was very weak, creating precious memories. She was a faithful wife, loving mother, dedicated teacher, hard worker and caring friend.
Elva was often quoting scripture or poetry, or sharing a song fitting to the situation, even during the time of her sickness. On the blog that was set up for prayer updates on Elva, she requested to have this poem and the Bible verse on the front.
Psalm 31:15 – My times are in thy hand
My times are in Thy hand;
My God, I wish them there;
My life, my friends, my soul I leave
Entirely to Thy care.
My times are in Thy hand;
Whatever they may be;
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to Thee.
My times are in Thy hand;
Why should I doubt or fear?
My Father’s hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.
My times are in Thy hand,
Jesus, the crucified!
Those hands my cruel sins had pierced
Are now my guard and guide.
My times are in Thy hand,
Jesus, my advocate:
Nor shall Thine hand be stretched in vain,
For me to supplicate.
My times are in Thy hand,
I’ll always trust in Thee;
And, after death, at Thy right hand
I shall forever be.
