Obituary of Helen Brooksby

Helen Farnsworth Brooksby was born November 16, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the eldest daughter of Theron and Margarett Farnsworth. In her youth she lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Lawrence, Kansas. She married Merrill W. Brooksby September 18, 1956. Helen and Merrill lived in Cupertino, CA from 1961 to 1984, then moved to Niskayuna, NY. Helen was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints participating actively in its Youth and Relief Society organizations. She taught early-morning seminary classes to high school aged youth for many years. She served as a full-time missionary for the church in Chicago, IL and Salt Lake City, UT. On both missions she participated actively in the church's family history programs. In Chicago she also served as a proselyting missionary to the deaf due to her proficiency in sign language. Subsequent to her missionary service, she continued her life-long interest in family history by serving in the Albany family history center. Helen was an accomplished artist and her artwork filled her home. She was also an aviation enthusiast and held a private pilot license. Helen was also was a teacher for the children's traveling museum in the capital district. Helen had a love of music and was an excellent pianist. She instilled her love of music in her children and taught several grandchildren to play the piano. Helen is survived by her five sons, Ray (Robin), Glen (Michele), Eric (Sonya), Evan (Suzanne), David (Cathy), twenty grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and her two sisters, Marjorie Merrill and Marian Alder.