Obituary of Barbara Brookins

Barbara Jean Brookins "Loving Wife, Mother and Grandmother" Olean, NY Barbara Jean Brookins of 137 N. 15th St. died unexpectedly Tuesday (March 18, 2014) shortly after arrival at the Herman Orange Memorial Hospital in Orange, TX. She had her husband had been visiting family in Orange. Born August 28, 1949 in Buffalo she was the daughter of Stanley and Virginia Riley Aldrow. On April 17, 1971 in the Tonawanda (NY) United Methodist Church she married Robert W. Brookins who survives. Mrs. Brookins was raised in Wheatfield and graduated from Niagara-Wheatfield High School. In 1971 she moved to Olean where she was first employed by Carnahan's Men's Store and later for Seigel's Shoes. She worked as a secretary at St. Bonaventure University for 29 years, retiring in 2012. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Olean where she served as a Youth Advisor and sang in the choir. She also held various board positions at the church, currently on the Diaconate Board. She was a loving wife and mother and was devoted to her whole family where she relished all gatherings with her siblings, friends and her church family. She was looking forward to the birth of her third grandson in April to be named Ivan Thomas Downing. Surviving besides her husband are a daughter Wendi (Lorenzo Downing, II) Brookins of Alexandria, VA; 2 grandsons Lorenzo Downing, III and Landon Robert Downing; 11 brothers and sisters Diana (Andrew) Norton of Bremerton, WA, Sharon Shull of Ransomville, James (Margaret) Aldrow of Lockport, Rose Aldrow of Cheektowaga, Linda (Bill) Kohler of Rochester, Darlene Negvesky of Niagara Falls, Kathy Aldrow of Niagara Falls, Darryl (Helen) Aldrow of Niagara Falls, Steven (Patty) Aldrow of North Tonawanda, Audrey (Mark) Beasock of North Tonawanda and Jackie (Craig) Amiano of West Palm Beach, FL; a sister-in-law Arlene Aldrow of Lockport and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, a brother Charles Aldrow and a sister Patricia Andrews. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Friday from 6-9pm and on Saturday from 1-4pm. A memorial service will be held Saturday (March 22, 2014) at 5pm at the First Baptist Church of Olean. Rev. Daniel McDowell, senior pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Olean, 133 S. Union St. Olean, NY 14760 or to the American Diabetes Association, 315 Alberta Dr., Suite 102, Amherst, NY 14226. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.