GUILDERLAND — “A star went out for a special person this day, the 27th of July, 2020. It is with a sad and heavy heart to announce the passing of Vera ‘Gram’ Brooks,” her family wrote in a tribute. “She had a happy, healthy life all the way up to the amazing age of 106.”

Mrs. Brooks was born on Oct. 4, 1913 in Nova Scotia, Canada on the First Nation Bear River Mi’kmaq Reservation. In 1936, she moved to Albany, where she met her husband, Charles M. Brooks. They were married for 66 years until his death.

“She kept care of her own home up to the very last day of life and was always the life of the party,” her family wrote. “Her love for her family and friends mixed with the hint of tenacity kept her going strong in her older age. She had lived through many historical moments such as both World Wars, the Cold War and the influenza pandemic, to name a few.

“Vera was a jack of all trades. She was a seamstress, nanny/housekeeper, fabric sales woman, farmer, real estate agent, hairdresser, a member of the ladies auxiliary at Westmere Fire Department for 83 years, belonged to the McKownville United Methodist Church, was a member of the Super Sams Camping Club, one amazing cook, and a grandmother to all.”

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Vera R. Brooks is survived by her son, Charles V. Brooks, and his wife, Trudy; her grandchildren, Kim Whalen and her husband, Mike, Jeff Brooks and his wife, Janine, and Pam Sullivan and her husband, husband Bill; four great-grandchildren, Chloe Sullivan, Michael Whalen, Ryan Whalen, and Allison Brooks.

“She also leaves behind extended family, the Libertys and the Nelsons, several nieces and nephews, and friends who will sadly miss her.

“Gram joins her husband, Charles; her mother and father, Allie and Levi “Benson” Brooks; her three brothers, Wilfred, James, and Andrew “Bud” Brooks; and her sister, Jean (Mrs. George Fletcher), in heaven,” her family wrote.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Aug. 3, at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, where a funeral service will take place at noon in the funeral home.

Interment will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Guilderland.

Gathering size within New Comer chapels will be based on the most current New York State occupancy requirements. Masks are required, and social distancing is to be observed inside and outside of the chapels.