By Keely Baribeau
Throughout life, there are certain places we visit that remind us of someone special. For many in our community, a trip to the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse or the YMCA of the Blue Water Area almost always brings thoughts of Denise Brooks.
“Denise was a lifelong boater, and seeing the lighthouse when returning across the lake to Port Huron was always a welcome sight to her,” her husband, David Brooks, said in describing her affinity for the site. “I believe Denise realized the importance of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse from a historical and nautical sense of place. Having the oldest lighthouse in Michigan in a county park within the Port Huron city limits was always meaningful to her.”
Denise passed away in April 2025. For those fortunate enough to know her, the Lighthouse and its campus restoration were true passion projects.
“Denise and I worked on projects together as a team,” David explained. “Two years ago, we were fortunate to visit the completely restored Key West lighthouse in Florida, and that became a focus for both of us as the standard that our Fort Gratiot Lighthouse had to become. I’m happy to say that painting of our lighthouse’s interior will begin this fall, funded partially through donations made to the Friends of the Fort Gratiot Light in Denise’s memory.”
It was a true honor for the Community Foundation when Denise entrusted us to steward her legacy gift to the Friends of the Fort Gratiot Light Fund. Through this planned gift, her generosity will continue to preserve and restore the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and its campus, ensuring the light keeps shining for generations to come.
Denise’s gift will also build upon the significant annual support provided by event admissions and sponsorships from SandFest—an event she was instrumental in starting over 10 years ago.
“Our parents (Pete & Mary Jane Cameron and Walt & Mary Brooks) raised us to find ways to give back to our community,” David explained. “Deciding to be Legacy Donors was actually very easy for us, but deciding on the gift amount took some time. Denise and I had been discussing larger gifts from her estate for several months— how much and to whom. We wanted it to be meaningful and have a positive impact. We settled on equal donations to the Blue Water YMCA and the Fort Gratiot Light Fund, and this was finalized a few short weeks before her passing. We had no idea how little time she had.”
Legacy gifts such as those planned by Denise and David often serve as a reflection of the donor’s values and priorities. “Leaving a planned gift is a powerful way to ensure your personal values live on. It allows donors to support causes they care about deeply, from education to the arts, health care, faith, or the work of the Community Foundation,” explained Community Foundation Vice President Jackie Hanton. “These gifts often tell a story about what mattered most in a donor’s life.”
“Unfortunately, Denise wasn’t able to actually experience the thanks from the community that I’ve received for the legacy gifts,” David shared. “But I know she realized how important they would be and she’s smiling about the positive impact they’ll have on the community we love. We’d encourage others to make a difference—whether it’s a little or a lot, it doesn’t matter.”
Denise’s legacy gift is an excellent example of creating a pathway of future support for the Lighthouse and its surrounding park.
“In December of last year, Denise and I decided to adopt the ‘Ladder to the Light,’ which is part of the Adopt-a-Step program of restoration fundraising at the park,” said David. “We did it to honor both her parents and mine for guiding our way. The ladder is at the top of the lighthouse and allows the United States Coast Guard to service the actual light. With Denise’s passing, there is now an extra inscription to her memory on the ladder.”
People may also remember Denise from other leadership roles she held in the community, such as Director of the YMCA of the Blue Water Area and former CEO of the Port Huron Hospital Foundation. Others may simply have known her as a dear friend.
The Community Foundation was fortunate to have Denise’s leadership on the Board from 2011 to 2020. She was also a founding member of the Women’s Initiative and served on the Grants Committee for 13 years. Denise’s work in local charity was tremendously impactful. She was incredibly generous to this community—both as a visible leader and as an anonymous donor for several causes.
Denise’s legacy continues to light the way for the community through other planned gifts, including one to the YMCA of the Blue Water Area. Legacy giving builds a stronger future for all by supporting endowments and long-term community needs. These gifts provide stability and sustained support for generations, helping to address future challenges or fund opportunities that may not even exist yet.
As a leader and a donor, Denise understood this well. Her gifts will leave a lasting mark for years to come in places and causes she held dear.
“Denise was always about finding a way to move a project forward to completion,” said David. “She was great at creating an organized vision of what could be and bringing people together to accomplish it. She would be so happy to know that the time and talent she put into the park will have a lasting effect, along with the financial sustainability provided by the legacy gift.”
May Denise’s example inspire others to plan for a gift to something they care about deeply, regardless of dollar amount.
“She was a great teacher in many respects, and certainly this is one area where we can all learn from her example,” noted Jackie. “Planned giving is for anyone who wants to make a lasting impact. Whether it’s a small percentage of a retirement fund, a life insurance policy, or a simple bequest in a will, every gift adds up and strengthens the future of the community.”
If you would like to learn more about making a planned gift or leaving a legacy through the Community Foundation, please contact Jackie Hanton at jackie@stclairfoundation.org or (810) 984-4761.