Trisha Brook ’87 passed away

Tricia Lynn Brooks

Tricia Lynn Brooks passed away suddenly Monday, April 18th at home. She was 52. Tricia entered this world July 21st, 1969, in Toledo, and was the eldest daughter of Larry and Dorothy (Tofte) Brooks . She graduated from both the former McAuley High School and the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work.

After graduation from UT, Tricia spent the better part of a decade living in the Phoenix area, where she developed a love for both working with the elderly in several long-term care facilities and for having fun spending time with a group of friends and co-workers. When she returned to the Toledo area, she continued performing her social services roll with the elderly at several facilities which included the Genoa Care Center, the Lutheran Home at Toledo, and Ridgewood Manor in Maumee.

A part time college job resulted in a connection Tricia wouldn’t act upon until her return to Ohio. She took a chance with a random phone call to Jeff Lynch, and that single act created a bond that lasted for 17 years. Engagement eventually ensued; circumstances and current events conspired to postpone an eventual wedding that was never ultimately realized. While there was light-hearted needling about it “ever happening”, both parties had given in to the fact that they had become inseparable quite awhile ago. In 2013 Tricia became the office manager at John Lynch Opticians, which, inevitably, cemented their relationship status even further. She and Jeff enjoyed travel throughout the country, on trips that had both specific itineraries and those with no plan whatsoever. “She was so funny about travel” Jeff relates. “She always would be unsure about going someplace she’d never been; invariably, after almost every trip, she couldn’t wait to go back!” Tricia experienced fun, happy times with family and friends, and hanging with Jeff and their canine family.

Tricia loved animals of all types, but especially her beloved dogs Indy and Daisy, a couple of Jack Russell Terriers (terrorists according to Jeff). She would routinely corral errant bugs and deposit them outdoors, preferring that to any other fate they may have been subjected to. She had a huge heart, for critters large and small, human ones most of all.

Tricia is survived by her fiancee, Jeffery Lynch; her parents, Dorothy and Larry Brooks; her sister and brother-in-law Tami and Jason Owens; and her aunt and uncle, Marilyn and Peter Mattoni. She is also survived by her nephews, Zachary and Grant Perry who she absolutely adored with her whole heart. Even though Zach coined the term, even Jeff’s nieces Haley and Ava affectionately referred to her as “Shisha”, a moniker she happily embraced.

Funeral arrangements were private. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to the Glass City Dog Park, c/o Toledo Unleashed, 3407 Pineway Dr, Toledo, OH 43614. American Cremation Events assisted the family with arrangements.

Published by The Blade on Apr. 28, 2022.