LACEY JOY BROOKER

On the evening of Tuesday, July 22, Lacey suddenly collapsed while at home with her son Nathanael (now 16), daughter Ainsley (7) and niece Chloe (12).  Nathanael immediately came to her aid, called 911, and began CPR for several minutes. Then a very close family friend, Lt. Dan Bird of the Eden Prairie Fire Department (EPFD), responding to the call, was the first through the door and immediately took over CPR from Nathanael.  Paramedics from EPFD and Hennepin County Medical Center worked diligently to revive her and stabilize her for transport. Upon arrival to the M Health Fairview Southdale Emergency Department, the incredible Doctors and Nurses put Lacey on a ventilator and got Lacey fully stabilized.  For a few days, Lacey was expertly cared for in every way by the incredible Critical Care Specialists, Doctors, and Nurses.  Due to the nature of her condition, it was decided that additional Specialists should be available to her and she was transported by a highly-skilled Advanced Critical Life Support Team to the M Health University of Minnesota Medical Center -- there another unbelievably skillful and caring team of Critical Care Specialists, Doctors, Nurses, and Assistants cared for her in a very personal way. On Wednesday, July 30, at 4:57pm Lacey was able to donate her organs to 3 recipients.

Lacey was one-of-a-kind.  Her love, her care, and her style is irreplaceable.  She was full of joy, happiness, and kindness.  She had an incredible interest in others and especially her children. 

She was extremely well read; there likely wasn't a book that you could think of that she hadn't read, and couldn't immediate start a discussion on.  This was especially true of the Bible, she read and studied the Bible on a daily basis, she could cite scripture and characters with ease. Don't play Bible trivia with her!  She applied the Bible in her life to the best of her ability every day -- she spent much time teaching others about the Bible and specifically about the help it can afford one today and the hope for the future that it promises.

Lacey had traveled extensively, last count was nearly 50 countries -- spanning from all of Europe, Southern Africa, Central America, and South America.  Of all her travels, her favorite city to return to was London, but she was most attached to the people in Warsaw.  To travel, she would work good paying jobs, keep her expenses low, then go -- staying away until she didn't have a dime left, expect for the plane ticket home, or not, thanks Dad! This afforded her unbelievable experiences as she would be able to stay for months at a time.  One of the biggest lessons I learned from her was: "Your life is a decision". When she would return home, her friends would ask about her adventures, living vicariously through her stories. They would often say "I wish I could do that!" sometimes in response she would say "You can, but what do you choose?". During that time, the experiences were what fed Lacey's soul -- in no way did she want a house, car, and the 9to5 that came with it -- and the mountain of pictures proves it!

When I first met, Lacey, she had a unique style -- every aspect.  I remember when I first saw her studio apartment -- with a shared bathroom! Yikes! But the place was styled and decorated, and was her own in every way and every detail -- true Boho Chic.  This never changed, no matter where we lived, style was important.  As I write this I'm looking at Saguaro cactus carcass and "The Monsters of Notre Dame" by Marc Chagal (not a print or repro). Again the Master of High-Low, but with an indescribable free-spirit.  That is now a gigantic hole in so many of our lives.

So many have been there for us and continue to ask -- What can we do? How can we help? Are you doing the State Fair?  The emotional and the practical -- the struggles are many.  Every day we discover new things -- and miss even more.  Lacey was in the throes of State Fair planning, and we felt obliged to round it out for her.  I'll never forget, when she was accepted to the State Fair, she never thought she had a shot -- it gave her a real confidence boost, and boy did she love the adventure and excitement of it all. When we were first married, we worked at a booth in the Grand Stand, I did it 4 years in a row actually -- the State Fair was one of the first things her and I did, on my first trip to Minneapolis.  Somehow the State Fair has been a notable part of our time together.

We don't know what will come of Piccadilly Prairie after the State Fair -- if you are planning to be at the Fair please stop by, share a story, and see some of the things Lacey was working on.  But I will be honest, we can't replicate Lacey's skill, style or vibe in any way, the booth is our feeble attempt to carry it on for her.  We hope to see you!

--Andrew