Lasting Memories

Vicki Brooks
Jan. 11, 1944-Sept. 23, 2023
Palo Alto, California

Vicki Brooks, a long-time Palo Alto resident, died peacefully in Aspen, CO, with close friends by her side. Her illness (myelodysplastic syndrome) was short and swift – she was still walking 3-miles a day near the Stanford Dish at the end of June, looking forward to her many volunteer activities at Stanford University, and recommending books for friends to read. She is survived by her son, Alder Yarrow of Piedmont, CA; granddaughter, sister, cousins, nieces, and grand nephews.

Vicki was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, the daughter of Irving and Dorothy (Shapiro) Singer. She had a generous spirit, a healthy curiosity about everything, and a lifelong interest in contributing to the greater good. After graduating from the University of Oregon, she taught elementary school in Tanzania with the Peace Corps and continued her teaching career at private schools in California and Colorado. During that time, she developed an interest in the healing arts and became a superb Jin Shin Do acupressure massage therapist. She maintained a therapeutic practice for several years in Aspen before changing careers to become a Colorado real estate broker. Vicki returned to the education field after moving to Palo Alto in 1997 to be closer to her family. She had the good fortune to work at Stanford with Clayborne Carson on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project (now the M.L.K. Jr. Research and Education Institute). She also volunteered for the Stanford Parents Club, the Stanford Alumni Association, and the Community Committee for International Students. She loved her Stanford colleagues, Palo Alto friends, and the many international graduate students she served.