Obituary: Brooke Sarah Blake, 12, of Ridgefield

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Brooke Sarah Blake, 12, of Ridgefield, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2020. She was the cherished daughter of Madeline and Matthew Blake and beloved sister of Riley Blake. Brooke was born on May 1, 2008 in Greenwich. Brooke was a lifelong Ridgefield resident and was a 6th grade student at Scotts Ridge Middle School.

Brooke had been diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare form of brain cancer in December 2015. DIPG affects children almost exclusively, and accounts for roughly 10 to 15 percent of all brain tumors in children, according to the Michael Mosier Foundation. Only 10 percent of children with DIPG survive for two years after diagnosis and less than one percent survive for five years. A local fundraiser, to support her treatment at a facility in Mexico, raised almost $30,000 in one day in 2017.

According to her death notice, "Brooke had the ability to easily bring a smile and a chuckle to every person she met. From friends, teachers, nurses, and doctors, she would frankly tell them how she felt about them. In an instant, she would create a memorable moment for them. She had an adoration for cats that was clearly displayed in her room. Brooke would spend hours in her room organizing her stuffed animals, candy drawer, and cubbies all while listening to music and singing along with her favorite band, Imagine Dragons. She loved swimming and playing on her iPad with her sister, Riley, friends and cousins. She will be sorely missed by her adored 'Sheepy and Blanky.'"

Brooke is survived by her parents, Madeline (Quinones) and Matthew Blake; her sister, Riley; her maternal grandparents Alma and Damaso Quinones and her paternal grandmother, Patronella Blake. In addition, Brooke is survived by her uncles, Ed Quinones and his husband, Andrew Marconi; Rick Blake and his wife, Patti; Dan Blake and his wife, Paula, her aunt, Jannette Wysong and her husband, Derek and her beloved cousins; Cody, Brandon and Zachary Marconi; Travis and Semilli Blake; Sydney, Daniel and Andrew Blake and Caitlyn and Cameron Wysong. Brooke was predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Richard Blake and her cousin, Skylor Burgos.

On their Facebook page, the Ridgefield Professional Firefighters paid tribute to Brooke, saying "Through life, there are a handful of people you meet who truly inspire you with their courage, drive, kindness, and strength. For us, one of those people was Brooke Blake.

"Brooke is one of those special people that we looked up to. Although she has left us physically, She will be forever in our hearts. We take comfort in the fact that we now have a guardian angel that will look over us and guide us. She will always be a part of the Ridgefield Professional Firefighters family. We Still Believe!"

Due to the coronavirus guidelines, A Celebration of Brooke's Life will take place at a later date. To continue her legacy, Brooke has donated her tumor to help with the research and science of DIPG.