Mike Brook passed yesterday

I did not post everything Mike’s daughter Rachel had told me the day before yesterday, but I’m including that message now as well as what she sent today. Those who knew Mike will certainly understand and appreciate his wishes for his last day.

Rachel’s earlier message: “Hi Becky, I’m very sorry to have to tell you it’s not good news. Dad is being given the maximum amount of oxygen but it’s not enough. The Dr spoke to me and confirmed there is nothing more they can do. She was extremely upset. The Drs and nurses are going through hell at the moment. She had already told us all to expect the worst. But they gave him a shot just in case. She said normally she would withdraw treatment at this point and just keep him comfortable. But he has asked for one more day so he can make it to his wedding anniversary. The Dr agreed to this and says she will not withdraw treatment until after the anniversary. Dad is comfortable and seemed at peace with his fate. He’s a deeply religious man and I know when he has spoken to me about his passing he has always seemed prepared and accepting of the idea. I actually felt even before he came to visit you guys this year he knew it would be his last time and that’s why he wanted to see you all no matter what. I am glad I was able to see him today because I put his mind at rest that everything was in hand. He wasn’t concerned for himself, just needed reassuring that everything else was ok and mum was ok. I know this will be upsetting for a lot of people. As I don’t know his US friends would you be comfortable passing this news on? I wasn’t sure whether to put in on your Facebook thread, I felt some people might need contacting individually but I wasn’t sure.”

Rachel’s message this morning: “Dad made it through his anniversary but sadly passed away yesterday evening. He made it through most of yesterday which is what we wanted and I was able to do a lot of things to make his last 24 hours how he wanted them. He was at peace with it all and relatively content towards the end which is all you can ask really. Would have been better to be with him but I had been able to see him for 20 minutes so I took all the photos you and others had sent as well as some of friends and family and put them up around the room and made sure he was able to listen to classic fm. He was so happy to receive all your messages too.

It’s a heartbreaking situation obviously but we were able to do a lot in the little time we had before he died to make it how he wanted it. He spoke to mum on the phone yesterday and a vicar friend was able to speak to him by phone and pray with him. We can’t have a proper funeral which is a shame because so many people would have wanted to come he was such a big part of church community and was so involved with music and horticulture and all sorts. We will have a small ceremony for now and then when people are allowed to gather again we plan have a music concert as a thanksgiving with his various friends performing and the choir he was in will be singing too.

I will be in touch again when I can but want to thank you and all his friends in the US for the incredibly happy times he shared with you all. Being able to take photos of fun times over there for him to look at during his last moments so he was thinking of happy times was so important. I am so glad his most recent memories were of his latest trip to see you all. Also I think it’s lovely that he passed at a time when there are daffodils EVERYWHERE, they are planted all around the hospitals grounds too. Would you be able to share this news with his friends please? It would be a great help as we have SO MANY people to talk to. Which is testament to how full his life was and how many people cared.”

Please keep Mike’s family in your thoughts.  His daughter Rachel said they have all had Covid-19.  She and her children have recovered. Mike’s wife Ann is still ill, but at home.  Their address is: Barn End, Grimmer Lane, Cantley Norwich Norfolk England NR13 3SB United Kingdom. Annie Hibbs sent the photo to the left of “The Three Amigos” at the hotel in Dallas to Rachel to share with Mike and then to me.  The photo to the right is part of our group while touring in Dallas.

5 comments for “Mike Brook passed yesterday

  1. So sad. He was always one of the first to greet me and one of the last to say good bye at convention. I’ll miss him
    frank

  2. So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He truly loved daffodils and we loved having him visit with us at the conventions. Was hoping and wishing he would come through this and would be with us next year. Out thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends.

  3. I’ll miss my friend. Mike and I became friends at the Little Rock Convention. In Dallas I was in the same judging trio along with Bob Spotts. Jan and I sat with him at supper Thursday night and at lunch on Monday in Dallas. We had a great discussion of the Royal Family. I’ll miss friend!

  4. Michael came to our 2020 National ADS Convention with his kindred spirit regaling friends of daffodil stories of “old”, filled with his joyous laughter and warm smiles, assuring that a ray of sunshine of a daffodil friend will be calming the storm and surely be missed.

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