Donna Marie Brooks

Donna Marie Brooks passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, in Plano, Texas, after years of living with dementia. She was surrounded by love, with her daughter, Jennie, by her side. Donna passed away on the anniversary of her marriage to Dale Brooks—a date that had long represented their beautiful and loving life together.

Born Donna Marie Swanson on December 23, 1939, in Tacoma, Washington, she was the fourth child of David Swanson and Jennie Sellin Swanson. Donna lived a life marked by faith, adventure, and an unwavering love for her family.

Donna attended Tacoma public schools and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, in 1962.

After graduating, Donna began her teaching career at Stevens Junior High School in the Tri-Cities, Washington area. She also taught seventh grade Biology at Lincoln Square Academy in New York, a private school for children in show business. During the years that followed, she lived in Georgia, Texas, New York, Washington, New Jersey, and Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands.

When the family moved to Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, Donna embraced the tropical climate and close-knit community and became active in jogging club, community theater and other arts.

Donna later in 1973 moved to the Dallas area, where she and Dale shared a beautiful, loving marriage. Together, they raised her three children in Plano, Texas, and built a life centered on faith, family, friendship, and shared experiences. Donna held retail-management positions at several retail stores until retiring in the late 1990s. After the children were grown, Donna and Dale lived in Kansas, Missouri, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, spending a decade growing their business.

In the early 2000’s, Donna and Dale settled back in Frisco and then Allen, Texas, where they enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. They were devoted and active grandparents who delighted in attending their grandkids school functions and sporting events.

Donna and Dale loved entertaining friends in their home, traveling around the world, and taking many cruises with friends and family. The experiences they shared became treasured memories and reflected Donna’s adventurous spirit and love of life. Donna also loved scrapbooking and enjoyed preserving photographs and memories from family moments and their many travels.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her older brothers, David and Richard; her older sister, Betty; and her beloved husband, Dale, who passed away in 2023.

She is lovingly survived by her son Michael Brooks and his wife, Debbie; her son Douglas Brooks and his wife, Myla; her daughter, Jennie Brooks Shankle; and her nine grandchildren: Trevor, Tyler, and Tanner Brooks; Alex Tudelo; Kyle Brooks; and Megan, Austin, and Carson Shankle. She is also survived by extended family members and dear friends who will remember her with love.

Donna will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a woman of faith, and a friend to all. Her legacy is one of love, strength, kindness, and devotion to her family. Though her presence will be profoundly missed, the memories she created will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.