Irene Brookings, 89, longtime resident of Alna, passed away on the morning of Jan. 5 at Country Manor in Coopers Mills. Born in Lincolnville on June 13, 1924, she was the daughter of Ellis and Ina (Bell) Basford.
Irene grew up in Lincolnville and attended schools there. Growing up during the depression, her family didn’t have a lot, but her father made fiddles and her mother was a great singer, so singing was a big part of her childhood. She grew up on a farm and loved animals (especially goats). She loved working on the farm and tending to all of the animals there.
Later in life, she put an ad in Uncle Henry’s looking for work on a farm. There were many responses, but she ended up going to work for Everett “Randall” Brookings in Alna. They got along so well that they ended up marrying just two weeks later.
She continued her love of singing in Alna, where she would sing folk songs at Alna Town Meetings, and would keep the voters entertained. At the age of 77, she recorded her very first CD. She loved making the album with her neighbor, but didn’t enjoy the fuss of her CD release party. Not long after, the CD was entered into the National Library of Congress Archives of American Folk Culture.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Everett Brookings; sisters, Valmae Sherman, Agnes Underhill, and Angelina Basford; as well as brothers, Everett Basford and Ralph Basford.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews.
There will be no formal service. She will be buried privately with her husband in the Alna Cemetery in the spring.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
