Luise Prather Brooks passed away peacefully Saturday, January 5, 2013 at her assisted living residence in Gilroy, California. She was a strong independent woman and enjoyed many travels. She loved the San Francisco Giants. She was an avid reader and enjoyed listening to KGO radio everyday and also loved to read the Enquirer! Her daily routine included a gin and tonic!


Luise was born in San Francisco on November 10, 1921 to Daisy Hilburn and Wilbur Prather. Her growing up years were spent in Lakeport with her 3 sisters and at her fathers lumber mill on Cob Mountain. The Prather family owned Adams Springs Resort.
Her early education was at boarding school , the Ursaline Academy in Calistoga. She attended high school at Dominican Convent in San Rafael, then Santa Rosa Junior College and San Jose State.
During her college years, she loved to dance and party. She married Harvey Brooks in 1943.
Luise lived in Willow Glen for 65 years. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her dog. She was secretary at St. Justins Church in Santa Clara for 30 years.

Luise traveled to Europe with her sisters, Wilbi and Cece and also went to Scotland and Ireland. Her daughter included her on many family trips to Yosemite, Hawaii, and the Grand Canyon. For her 85th birthday, her children took her on a cruise to the Caribbean and on her 90th Birthday to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Luise is survived by her daughter Christina Lafaille, (Gary), son Michael Brooks (Gail), grandchildren, Gina Bray, Michael Lafaille, Lindsay Lafaille, Michaelynn Thompson, Tony and Ward Daniels, great grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, Joey and Jenna Bray, Samantha Lafaille and Emerson Thompson, her sister Wilbi Taylor (Jack) and many nieces, nephews. Luise joins in Heaven her parents, Daisy and W.W. Parther, sisters Rosalie Prather Keenan and Cecilia Prather Rattle, brother in law Jack Rattle, niece Sharon Taylor Snipes and godchild Stacie Louise Taylor, nephew Patrick Keenan and many other wonderful family members.

Rosary at Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy. Friday at 6:00 PM. Funeral Mass at St. Mary Church, Gilroy Saturday at 12:00 Noon.

The family is thankful for Luise's Doctor Marci Teresi at Kaiser, and the loving caregivers at Village Green Merrill Gardens in Gilroy.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Humane Society of Santa Clara would be appreciated. Luise's favorite charity.