To everyone who may not yet have heard the news, it pains me to say, that on Thursday, March 29, 2018, my cousin, Brooke LePaige Hanby, ended her life. Both of her parents were already waiting for her on the other side. But she leaves behind many heartbroken friends and family.



Brooke was many things. She was strong. In her 37 years on this earth, she overcame many obstacles and heartache. But she was forgiving. She'd give you a second chance, a third chance and a thirty-third chance.



She had a generous heart. Throughout her adult life, she tried a few different professions. Most of them had to do with helping or giving to other people, whether it was massage school, or working with senior citizens or aromatherapy and healing or piercings and tattoos.



She was so easy to connect with. She never met a stranger. To meet Brooke was to love Brooke. The girl certainly knew how to have fun. She loved dressing in costume and playing different characters or personas. She had serious moves on the dance floor. And her crazy laugh could fill a room.



Many would describe Brooke as a free spirit. A hippie. A flower child. Some of her newest friends even knew her as Gypsy Rose. In my mind, she will always be wearing one of those long, flowy, "hippie" skirts.



Brooke was a Creative. She loved creating beautiful abstract art. She loved expressing herself in the way she dressed, the jewelry she wore, her piercings, and, of course, with the many tattoos all over her body. She loved decorating other people, too.



She loved all of nature and felt a deep connection to it. She loved to "unplug." Brooke was most at peace when she was at the beach or camped out in the woods meeting her new fairy friends.



I believe this is why Brooke's wish was to be cremated and have her ashes planted with a tree. Arrangements for a tree planting ceremony are still being made due to an unforeseen delay. There has been some confusion regarding the details for the memorial. We apologize for that. All details for the tree planting ceremony, hosted by her surviving husband, Reese, her aunt, Kelly, and her cousins, Kati, Keegan, and Kandace, will be posted on this page. Make sure you follow this page so that you receive any updates. If you have any questions, you can click below on Contact Organizer to reach me.



Brooke's death is not only emotionally devastating, but unfortunately, she left with no life insurance. We have had numerous emails, texts and messages from people asking how to help. So here it is! We are reaching out to her friends and to the community for donations to help offset her final expenses. If you would like to donate, just click on the donate button and give whatever you can. If you are not able to donate, don't forget you can still leave messages and comments for Brooke's family to read.



Her family is asking for photos of Brooke, to be included in a photo booklet for the memorial. If you have any photos that you want included, please email them to [email protected].