Barbara "Brooke" Possenti, 81, passed away on September 24, 2017 at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook due to natural causes. Cremation has taken place and at Brooke's request no services have been planned. Memorials in Brooke's name may be made to the Help Committee Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-line, Havre Public School Education Foundation, PAWS of Chinook, or The American Bird Conservancy. Please visit Brooke's online memorial page at www.hollandbonine.com and share your memories of Brooke.

Brooke was born on November 1, 1935 to Severino "Sam" and Ruth (Rathbone) Possenti in Havre, MT. She attended Havre public schools, graduating from Havre High School in 1954, and continued her education at Montana State in Bozeman, earning her BA degree in English. Brooke was a member of Rainbow Girls and of Chi Omega Sorority. Brooke was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the USMC on Sept 11, 1959 in Quantico, VA, becoming the first woman Marine Corps officer from Havre, MT; she was honorably discharged as a 1st LT in July of 1961.

Brooke married Robert D. King and the couple had a daughter, Laurie. They later divorced. She was very creative and despite the frequent moves required of a military spouse, she always decorated and maintained a beautiful and welcoming home, especially at Christmas (her favorite holiday). Her biggest project was refurbishing a 150-year old, 13-bedroom Maine farmhouse.

In addition to gardening and collecting and making miniatures and dollhouses, Brooke's hobbies and interests over the years also included sewing & needlework, oil and watercolor painting, refinishing furniture, and making unique hand-crafted notecards.

She was famous for her chocolate chip cookies and her wonderful storytelling. She had a great sense of humor, and her infectious laughter would fill a room. Brooke was larger than life and will be missed by many.

Brooke is preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Ruth Possenti.

She is survived by her daughter, Laurie (Bruce) Fahrner of WA; and many, many friends.