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Tributes HONOR THE MEMORY AND LEGACY OF A LOVED ONE

Roberta’s House wants to honor the memory and legacy of loved ones who have left us too soon.

By creating an online tribute, you have the opportunity to remember those who impacted our lives and share their memory with others.

Share your tribute with others by requesting contributions to Roberta’s House in lieu of flowers.

Start your virtual tribute by completing the form below and creating a gift for Roberta’s House. After you submit the form, a tribute will be created on the Roberta’s House website for you to share with your family and friends.

Please allow 1-2 business days for your tribute to appear on our website. We will notify you when the tribute is available to be viewed.

To submit a photo for your tribute, please email media@robertashouse.org with your tribute’s name in the subject line.

Start your virtual tribute by completing the form below and a gift to Roberta’s House. 

Fill Out Tribute Form Here
Irene Theresa Brooks

Irene Theresa Brooks

Honor the Memory

Obituary for Irene Theresa Brooks

Irene Theresa Howard Brooks (affectionately known as “Rese”), age 75, received her heavenly wings on June 15, 2026, following a lengthy illness. She was a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, an adoring grandmother, and a transformative educator whose legacy spanned generations of students and teachers.

Born on September 20, 1950, Rese was the fifth of six children blessed to the union of the late Milton W. Howard, Sr. and Miriam Middleton Howard. Raised in Summerville, South Carolina, she attended local public schools and graduated from Summerville High School in 1968. Guided by a profound love for learning, she pursued post-secondary education at South Carolina State College, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1972, followed by her Master of Arts degree in English and Counseling in1974.
 
While enrolled in graduate school at her alma mater, Rese taught a class where she met a freshman student who had been recently honorably discharged from the Army after a tour in Vietnam, and who became deeply fond of her. Their connection blossomed into a lifelong romance. On August 10, 1974, she united in holy matrimony with the love of her life, Benjamin T. Brooks, Sr. Together, they built a beautiful life defined by 53 years of unbroken togetherness and 51 years of devoted marriage, a bond severed only by her peaceful passing.
 
Rese began her exceptional professional career as a school teacher in Bowman, South Carolina. In 1976, after Benjamin graduated from South Carolina State, corporate recruitment by a fortune 500 company led the young couple to Cincinnati, Ohio. It was during their two years in Ohio that they welcomed their first child, Benjamin, Jr. Following her maternity leave, Rese returned to her passion in the classroom.
 
A subsequent career promotion for her husband brought the family to Baltimore, Maryland, where their blessings multiplied with the births of their daughters, Lindsey in 1982 and Ashley in 1984. After dedicating herself fully to nurturing her young children, Rese briefly transitioned into the corporate arena. However, her enduring love for children inevitably drew her back to the classroom. A devout Catholic, and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (now St. Gabriel), in 1995 she began working at John Paul Regional Catholic School (JPRCS) in Windsor Mill, Maryland.
 
Her natural leadership and pedagogical expertise quickly paved the way for administrative advancement. In 2000, she became an Assistant Principal, and in 2005, she was promoted to Principal. She served faithfully in this role for seven academic years until her retirement in 2012. Throughout her tenure, Principal Brooks was deeply respected by her faculty, adored by her students, and highly admired by parents.
 
Never one to remain idle, Rese spent the next four years sharing her administrative talents at her husband’s accounting firm. Three years later, she returned to education as a part-time staff administrator during the final 2016-2017 academic year of JPRCS. For the past seven years, she continued to stay active by providing part-time services for her son’s tax and accounting firm, bringing her signature warmth and sharp mind to the family business.
 
Rese’s life was a testament to love, service, and family. Her memory will be forever cherished and kept alive by her devoted husband of 51 years, Benjamin T. Brooks, Sr.; her loving children: son, Benjamin T. Brooks, Jr. (Alexandra), and daughters, Lindsey Toth (Kevin) and Ashley Brooks; and her seven adored grandchildren: Isabella Brooks, Hannah Brooks, Olivia Brooks; Natalie Toth, Matthew Toth, Claire Toth; and Adam Graves. She also leaves behind her beloved sister, Gertrude Williams (Bernell); her brother, Harold Howard (Linda); and a host of extended family, former students, colleagues, and friends.
 
She was preceded in triumphant entry into heaven by her parents, Milton W. Howard, Sr. and Miriam M. Howard, and her three brothers, Milton Howard, Jr., Johnny Howard, and Raymond Howard.
Sonja Duncan

Sonja Duncan

Sonja Duncan attended Morgan State University during the height of the Civil Rights era. On February 15, 1963, students from Morgan State began a sit-in at Northwood theater; one of the remaining white-only establishments near the university. Despite nearly 10 years of protest, the community had been unsuccessful in integrating the theater.

What started with a small group of students quickly led to a mass movement of peaceful protests. More than 400 students participated and were arrested for participating in the sit-in. Sonja Duncan was one of these students, and for nearly a week was held in jail. Their arrest led to nationwide media attention and ultimately pressured the theater to reverse its white-only policy in March of 1963. Sonja Duncan was an avid community member and supporter of Roberta’s House. Her niece, Dorenzer Thomas, is the Program Manager of Youth Services for Roberta’s House.

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