Obituary of Elizabeth Brooks Reid

Elizabeth Brooks Reid, wife of the late Whitelaw Reid, died peacefully on June 1st at Northern Westchester Hospital surrounded by family. She was 86 years old.

Known to friends as Brooksie, she was an accomplished professional counselor with a BA in Sociology from Duke University (1953), and a Master of Science in Counseling from Long Island University (1982). Passionate about Duke, she served as trustee from 1981 to 1993. She also served on the Board of Visitor’s for Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment from 1994 to 2004. As a strong-minded, adventurous young woman, she moved to Paris in 1954 to work for Radio Free Europe. In 1957, Brooksie returned to New York and worked for the Farfield Foundation, where she met her husband, Whitie.

Dedicated to service and education, Brooksie worked as a Placement Counselor at the Volunteer Service Bureau in White Plains, and as an Academic Counselor for the Continuing Education Department at SUNY Purchase. A life-long animal lover, she volunteered as an animal educator at the Bronx Zoo.

Brooksie was mother to John Graham Reid of Amherst, MA, and Gina Rogers Reid of Katonah, NY, and step-mother to Brandon Reid (Diane), of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Carson Reid, of Myakka City, FL, and sister to Jacqueline Davison of Gainesville, FL. She was also a great friend to her son-in-law Christopher Wardenburg Maxmin, and her daughter-in-laws, Tracy Hightower, and Diane Reid. She was devoted to her 3 grandchildren: Reid Maxmin, Kelby Brooks Reid, and Caitlyn Carmichael Reid, as well as her eight step-grandchildren: Whitelaw Reid, Kate Reid Laing, Molly Bevan, Brittany Russell, Jillian Reid, Helen Reid, Brandon Reid, and Charlie Reid.

Born on March 28th, 1932 in New Rochelle, NY, Elizabeth was the third daughter of Dr. John G. Brooks, and Henrietta Adams Brooks, a former Head Nurse of New Rochelle Hospital.

Brooksie shared her husband Whitie’s passion for protecting the environment and animal rescue. Their homes in Purchase and Bedford Hills were a haven for service to both. An avid Blue Devil fan, Elizabeth followed Duke’s lacrosse and basketball teams’ achievements, travelling often to cheer from the stands.

Brooksie loved her family, friends, and a multitude of pets including her beloved dog, Pumpkin. She was engaging, with a great sense of humor, and always interested in others. Her selfless generosity will be remembered by all who knew her.

Brooksie’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, June 9th at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, NY at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor at http://adopt-a-dog.org/support/ways-togive.html