Colleagues and volunteers at the Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota are saddened by the loss of Ashley Brooks-Danso, who died on June 28, 2011.
Ashley was committed to improving the lives of older adults and the most vulnerable in our society, including those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. She started her work influencing national social work policy as co-director for the National Center on Gerontological Social Work Education. She also became a published author during her time in Washington, DC.
Ashley then spent three years with the Alzheimer's Association as the Community Education Manager where she coordinated the annual Meeting of the Minds Conference, growing it from an attendance of 400 to 1,400.
She most recently worked for the Wilder Foundation as the Caregiver Services Program Manager where she led the visioning process for a large-scale project to transform caregiver services. She had just built her team and was ready to put her strategic plan into action. At only 32, Ashley had already made significant contributions to the field of aging services.
Ashley also had a significant impact on her colleagues. She was extremely skilled at bringing diverse people together to work toward a common vision. And, she was a great friend to those she worked with.
Ashley is survived by her loving husband of seven years, Kofi; her 7-month-old baby girl, Amelia Akua; parents, Jim and Kay Brooks; sister, Liz (Jamyn) Peterson; brother, Spencer (Stephanie) Brooks; grandparents Wallace and Phyllis Wikoff; and numerous relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbors.
A support fund has been set up for her daughter, Amelia:
Amelia Brooks Danso Support Fund
1534 County Road GG
New Richmond, WI 54017
As a tribute to Ashley's contributions to the field of aging services, a scholarship fund has been named in her honor. The Ashley Brooks-Danso Family Education Fund will provide financial support for those with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia and their family members to attend the Alzheimer's Association & Mayo Clinic Meeting of the Minds Conference. Contributions to this fund may be sent to:
The Ashley Brooks-Danso Family Education Fund
Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota
4550 W. 77th Street, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55435
Ashley's spirit is exemplified by the quote she included in every email:
"If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt