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IN REMEMBRANCE

A photo of Sue Brookin smiling in a shop.
No rank

Sue Brookin

August 5 1970 to August 31 2024

Dates of service

September 1986
to
August 2024

We are devastated by the death of our colleague, Sue Brookin, who worked for us for 38 years.

Sue, whose family knew her by her given name of Anne, is survived by her parents, Mary and Ted, and sister, Kath. Our thoughts are with them and her friends at this terribly sad time. We know that they all meant the world to Sue.

She joined us in 1986 on what was then known as the Youth Training Scheme (YTS). In more recent years she was a member of our prevention team.

Sue was born on 5 August 1970, at the recently-opened Birmingham Women’s Hospital. She grew up in Kings Heath, and went to school at Colmore Road Infants and Juniors and Baverstock Secondary School. She joined West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) from there.

She loved the Lake District and spent as much time as possible there, sightseeing and enjoying good food. More recently, her sister bought a cottage there which they visited together.

It was in The Lakes that Sue developed a love of both Betty’s tea and ‘Herdy’ sheep!

One of the highlights of Sue’s WMFS career was her time on secondment to our planning team for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, at which she also volunteered.

Sue was devoted to, and extremely knowledgeable about, local communities. She volunteered at Stirchley Baths Community Centre and with our Sports and Welfare Fund.

She was immensely proud to be selected as one of our representatives to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II when her coffin lay in Westminster Hall, London, ahead of the State Funeral.

An avid user of X (formerly Twitter), Sue also shared her love for the Lake District, along with hundreds of photos, on her Instagram account, @Herdwick_Gal.

Please take comfort from leaving your own message, or by reading those of others.

A photo of Sue Brookin smiling in a shop.

Sue Brookin

5 August 1970 - 31 August 2024

Dates of service

September 1986 to August 2024

Serving locations

Member of Youth Training Scheme
Administrative role in Supplies and Stores at Highgate Fire Station
Admin Officer at Headquarters (Lancaster Circus)
Programme Manager in Development Training
Service Delivery Improvement Manager
Local Authority Liaison Officer at HQ, including secondment to Birmingham City Council within Safer Neighbourhoods
Partnerships Support Officer
Commonwealth Games Planning Officer in Intelligence and Innovation
Command Education Co-ordinator in Prevention

We are devastated by the death of our colleague, Sue Brookin, who worked for us for 38 years.

Sue, whose family knew her by her given name of Anne, is survived by her parents, Mary and Ted, and sister, Kath. Our thoughts are with them and her friends at this terribly sad time. We know that they all meant the world to Sue.

She joined us in 1986 on what was then known as the Youth Training Scheme (YTS). In more recent years she was a member of our prevention team.

Sue was born on 5 August 1970, at the recently-opened Birmingham Women’s Hospital. She grew up in Kings Heath, and went to school at Colmore Road Infants and Juniors and Baverstock Secondary School. She joined West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) from there.

She loved the Lake District and spent as much time as possible there, sightseeing and enjoying good food. More recently, her sister bought a cottage there which they visited together.

It was in The Lakes that Sue developed a love of both Betty’s tea and ‘Herdy’ sheep!

One of the highlights of Sue’s WMFS career was her time on secondment to our planning team for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, at which she also volunteered.

Sue was devoted to, and extremely knowledgeable about, local communities. She volunteered at Stirchley Baths Community Centre and with our Sports and Welfare Fund.

She was immensely proud to be selected as one of our representatives to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II when her coffin lay in Westminster Hall, London, ahead of the State Funeral.

An avid user of X (formerly Twitter), Sue also shared her love for the Lake District, along with hundreds of photos, on her Instagram account, @Herdwick_Gal.

Please take comfort from leaving your own message, or by reading those of others.

Messages of condolence

Add your own message of condolence
In the weeks following the funeral, wake, or celebration of life for our departed colleagues, we compile the messages shared here into a printed 'Book of Condolence'. This book is then presented to their loved ones as a lasting tribute.

For this remembrance page, the cut-off date for inclusion in the printed book is 9 October 2024.

While you are welcome to leave messages after this date, please note that any submissions received beyond the cut-off will not be included in the printed version.
Gail Read
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Sue - Its taken me some time to be able to write this. I still can't believe its true and you are going to come walking back in, dropping some teacakes on my desk.

We have worked alongside each other in many roles over the years and your knowledge could always be relied upon, as could your legendary facial expressions.

Unassuming, funny, sensitive, kind and caring. You didn't like the limelight but would quietly cheerlead everyone else from the side-lines.

I'm going to miss you - especially our tweetathons. My thoughts and prayers are with your Mom, Dad and Kath. I know how much they are going to miss you. Sleep peacefully my friend. xx
Mel Grainger
From
WMFS
Dear Sue (Lady Soo)



6 weeks on and it's still hard to find the words. I'll always remember your kindness, your subtle brand of humour, your knowledge and your sense of community. You could always be relied upon to convey what others were thinking, in your own no-nonsense way, often without even saying a word. You didn't suffer fools gladly, but you had endless time and patience for anyone genuinely doing their best and in need of a bit of support.



Rest easy my friend. Gone too soon but remembered with a smile and an afternoon pot of tea (special blend of course). Much love and respect to your family xx
Julia Cove
Rest in peace dearest Sue. Thank you for your friendship x
Christine Thomas
From
Coventry city Councillor
Sincere thanks for your service. So sad to hear of the passing of such a brave woman. Sincere condolences to the family and all who knew and worked with her. Rest in peace Duty Done.
Phil Loach
Sleep easy Sue. Your courage and commitment will live on in the many vulnerable and young people you helped.



Thoughts are with your family and loved ones.
Jane Bailey
So very sad to hear of Sue’s passing, I attended today to pay my respects. I knew Sue as the Partnership officer and we quickly became friends when I worked with a Birmingham South LDG as it was then. We used to socialise and Sue always chose a good restaurant & was a lovely & genuine person. RIP Sue, sincere condolences to her Mum & Dad, sister, loved ones, friends and colleagues xxx
Paul Orme
Sue, you were my first ever boss and introduction to WMFS. Always supportive and had such a kind nature. Will miss that cheeky smile and playful character. Such a huge loss.
Paul Hinckley
Very sad indeed to hear the news of Sue's passing.

I worked with her and remember her as a lovely person and a great communicator.



Rest in peace, Sue. You will be missed by so many.
Linda Dada
From
WMFS
Rest in Peace Sue
Andrina Allen
From
West Midlands Fire Service
So shocked to hear of your passing Sue. I remember working with you at the Brigade Training Centre (BTC) and so does my daughter Leanne, I would hear the laughing come from your office when you both worked together and I know that she had kept in touch with you.



I have watched you progress in WMFS, and seen your passion for helping and supporting the community of the West Midlands, you came so far and your family should be so proud of you.



RIEP Sue xx
Gemma McS
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Sue,



Like many, I am sad and shocked to hear this news. You have been a constant for WMFS in protecting, supporting and driving vulnerable people across the West Midlands.



Thank you for the support and patience you gave to me and many instructors/young people that embarked on the Aurora Project. Providing this programme for hundreds of young people wouldn't have been made possible without you and team that put it together.

You dedication has always being unwavering. Never afraid to take on the big walks in Snowdonia, setting an example for the young people to give it a go.



My thoughts are with your family and friends. You will be missed dearly by many xx
Ella Warden
From
West Midlands Fire Service
To the family, friends of the lovely and beautiful sole Sue Brookin

I am Desperately saddened to hear of Sue passing away.

Always passionate about making a difference to the community.

The support towards significant events such as the Commonwealth Games and UKRO demonstrated your adaptability and willingness to ensure everybody had a great time. Never shy in sharing view you will be missed by all,

Rest in eternal peace ❤️ Ella



Rest in peace,
Rich Stanton
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Sue,

We worked together for many years in Birmingham and your dedication to the most vulnerable people we serve was unquestionable. You led the way for the service and delivered so many initiatives making such a difference. You will always be remembered for this.



My love and thoughts remain with your family and closest friends.



Forever in our thoughts.



Rest in eternal peace.



Rich
Dave Ward
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Thoughtful, caring, determined, honest and straightforward. Thank you Sue.
Mick Lomas
Sue



It was an honour and a pleasure to have known you and worked with you all those years ago.



Rest in peace.



Mick x
Claudio Murgia
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Sue,



I haven't had a chance to work with you for a long time, but I remember your kindness when we first met and your offer to come to you for anything. Or the kindness in involving me in projects and asking for feedback if I had only just started.



I am sorry I won't have another chance to make you some blondies.



My deepest condolences to your family and all the people you left behind...
MATTHEW YOUNG
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Sue, my deepest condolences pour out to your family and friends. We share their loss, as you were loved by all, and we will miss you, comforted only by the impact and influence you had on us throughout your long and prestigious career. Rest In Eternal Power. Matt
Arron Lennon
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Sue, what a beautiful soul you were towards me and many others who have had the opportunity to be in your presence, I have been blessed to have had such a great manager and friend.



You were such a caring, empathetic, selfless, respectful and funny person, you knew how to put 'people' first and inspire me and others to achieve greatness. Your positive influence did not only improve me as a professional but also as a person, I will be ever grateful for this.



You have left me with great memories, ones I'll cherish for a lifetime.



Rest in Peace, Sue.
Peter Allington
Well, sad doesn't come close devastated does. You would walk passed my desk and give me the nod. We would either walk around the building or sit in the break out area and have a cup of tea and a chat. Some times putting the world to rights having done that talk about visits to the lake district a place my wife and I visited regularly. Swopping pictures and chatting about the latest visit. I know each time I visit the Lake district I will remember you with fondness.

Love Pete xx

My thoughts and prayers are with Sue's family during this difficult time. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Alan Tranter
I had the pleasure of working with Sue when she was the LALO at Selly Oak, the meetings were always on Friday afternoon! I next worked with Sue at HQ when she served in Procurement. Sue was a solid member of the team. I am saddened by her untimely death and I offer my condolences to her family and friends. Rest now Sue xx
Julie Winpenny
Time stood still when I was told of your passing, it was not possible, I could not believe it and had to ask again to make sure I had not misheard. I had only spoken to you the afternoon before and your parting words were ' see you in the office Monday, have a good weekend'.



We have known each other for almost 20 years doing similar roles but in different Commands and finally working together in HQ. Different in many ways but we have supported and helped each other through many changes, reviews, challenges and family illnesses.



Our afternoon chats, that started in Covid as a way of keeping in touch kept going - discussing work, bouncing ideas / thoughts and putting the world to rights. Really going to miss those, together with the raised eyebrow, the current political news updates, your reaction when you thought a hug was coming your way and you saying 'I'm going for a coffee' which was code for lets walk and talk!



Although you were never loud the world will still be a quieter place without you.



My heart goes out to Kath, your Mom and Dad at this difficult and sad time. Rest in peace Sue xx
Debi Reeves
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Sue, I was speechless when I received the news of your passing.

I remember having many lunches with you at the BTC (as it was called back then) when I was the breakfast cook.

We meet on many occasions through our youth work and then I had the opportunity to work with you at the Academy in Development Training.

As I think back, I will also remember our TEAMS chats through COVID. What a laugh we had with the group.

Taken way too soon. RIEP my friend.
Michelle Townsend
From
West Midlands Fire Service
Rest in peace Sue.



Sending love and sincere condolences to your family and friends.
Sharon Hamill
From
West Midlands fire service
So sorry to hear of your passing, may you rest in peace ❤️❤️
Ferg Slade
What a shock. A devastating thing to hear about, given Sue's presence around the office.



I only had the pleasure of working with her for a short time, but during the Commonwealth Games, where I worked with her closely, I got to see where the hard work went - the detail, the immediate knowledge of what was next, the sports that were on, all delivered with an affability you don't often get during massive projects like that because people are so, rightly, ingrained in the detail.



That was Sue's real skill, charm, knack, her uniqueness - dealing with such a complex set of tasks with skill, professionalism, composure and wit, and that wit was so unexpected given the enormity of the task that it broke the ice superbly, every time.



You always got a hello. You always got (genuinely) asked how you were. You knew she cared. And you knew she got you.



The world would benefit from more Sue Brookins. I hope that her legacy can live on in those that knew her.

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