Catherine Ann Brooks

Catherine Ann Brooks (Nienhaus), 74, of Kennesaw, GA passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021, at her home. Catherine was born in St. Louis, MO in February of 1947 to Mel and Katy Nienhaus. She was the eldest of 10 siblings. A strong student, she graduated from St. John’s High School in June of 1964 and attended the University of Missouri for a time before traveling to Southern California where she met and eventually married Doug Brooks in 1969. After the arrival of her 2 children, and as the Vietnam War ended, they moved from California to Ann Arbor, Michigan and later to Washington State. Divorced in 1978, Catherine settled in Spokane, WA where she worked in neighborhood and community development roles as well as in positions supporting local refugee resettlement. She also developed her passion for traditional folk music playing guitar and mandolin and becoming an accomplished square dance caller. She exercised her creativity, exploring various crafts including sewing, pine needle basket-weaving and beaded earrings. Catherine returned to school to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Washington University in 1991 and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis in 1993 where she was awarded the prestigious Hubert H. Humphry Fellowship. After graduation she returned to Spokane where she worked in social services and family counseling for local Spokane and Kalispel tribes while also teaching at 2 local colleges. In 1998, Catherine returned to St. Louis and worked as a Family Therapist with Epworth Children and Family Services while helping to care for her aging mother until her passing. As her two children began to start families of their own in suburban Atlanta, Catherine moved to Kennesaw in 2001 where she worked for 10 years supporting children and families in crisis at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Georgia. Leading up to her retirement in 2014, she also provided counseling to families through Family Intervention Specialists. Catherine enjoyed the proximity to her children and grandchildren, attending many sporting competitions, recitals, birthday parties, and family beach trips. She enjoyed her home and its peaceful overlook of natural greenspace, many native birds, and a trickling creek that would grow and rush in response to periodic Georgia rainstorms. She also appreciated sharing the home’s free-standing playhouse and swing set with her grandchildren and loved to host Easter egg hunts in the large front yard. She looked forward each year to decorating her home for the Christmas season, sharing holiday baking together, and hosting her family for Christmas Eve celebrations. Catherine also liked to follow national news and politics and valued her quiet time with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and a murder mystery on television. Late in life, she struggled with respiratory health issues which limited her mobility. Catherine is survived by her: son, Chris Brooks and wife Mary Ann, grandchildren Emily, Sarah, and Paul Brooks of Redmond, WA; daughter Curry Mura and husband David, grandchildren Caroline, Jack, and Andrew Mura of Wexford, PA; brother Tom Nienhaus and wife Sandra of Wildwood, MO; brother Larry Nienhaus of St. Mary, MO; sister Barb Chandler of Reeds Spring, MO; brother Paul Nienhaus and wife Terri of Ballwin, MO; brother Chris Nienhaus and wife Connie of Branson, MO; sister Jeanne Rezuke and husband Bill of West Hartford, CT; sister Theresa Nienhaus and husband Scott of Alton, IL; brother Bob Nienhaus and wife Maribeth of St. Louis, MO; brother Dan Nienhaus of St. Louis, MO; 17 nieces and nephews, 8 great-nieces/nephews, and 8 great-great-nieces/nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mel Nienhaus in 1992 and Katy Nienhaus in 2000. Catherine’s immediate family will gather in St. Louis in June to remember and celebrate her life.

Catherine Ann Brooks

February 3, 1947 - May 2, 2021