Obituary

Aileen Marie Brock, beloved wife and mother, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 15, 2022, in Bellingham, WA after a long struggle with diabetes and related health issues. Aileen is survived by her husband, Bert Brock, and her three children: Lisa (married to Craig Mills), Laura (married to Kevin Pishion), and Mike (married to Amy Brock). Aileen will also be missed by the grandchildren of her heart: Melissa, Jules, Will, James, and Hannah Ward.

Aileen was born in 1943 to Marie and Frank Jones. She graduated from Bellingham High School. As the eldest of seven children, Aileen is preceded in death by her brothers Harold “Tenny” Johnson and Eric Johnson. Aileen is survived by her three younger sisters: Kathleen Ugelstad, Johnnie Johnson, and Jean Cogswell, and by her brother, Chris Johnson.

Aileen married Bert Brock in 1963.  She was a full partner with her husband Bert in Brock Fisheries, which was based in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Together, Bert and Aileen enjoyed a successful 40+ year career in the commercial salmon fishing industry. Along the way, they built three boats, celebrated great fishing seasons and persevered through challenging times. Most importantly, they provided for their family and collected a circle of lifelong friends.

In the winters, Aileen worked for Ed Nelson Tax service in Lynden for over 20 years, but still made time to ensure her family sat down for dinner together. Through the years, whether it was chaperoning teen-aged girls, investing in art lessons, or watching minor league hockey games, Aileen’s kids grew up secure of the place they held in their mom’s heart.

Aileen gifted the memory of storybook holidays to her family. For years, Aileen capably orchestrated a Thanksgiving feast for over 20 people, filling her home with love and laughter as family and friends found seats around a long makeshift table that wound its way through the dining room and around the corner into the living room. Christmas soon followed, with beautifully trimmed trees, cherished traditions, and gifts from Santa that continued long after her kids owned homes of their own.

Aileen loved to travel. On various trips with family and friends, she saw the Great Wall of China, traveled by train from Moscow to Siberia, visited Turkey, South Africa, New Zealand, and explored Europe. Within the United States, Aileen and Bert traveled through every state and province and explored the country’s national parks before buying a winter home in Brenda, Arizona.

Her sense of adventure didn’t stop with travel. Aileen learned to play bridge in her 60s during a cruise to the Panama Canal and remained an avid bridge player for the rest of her life. She was never afraid to try new hobbies and experiences, whether it was bowling in her younger years, photography, or keeping up with the latest in technology. Aileen was also an accomplished artist, who painted beautiful oil and watercolor paintings. In later years, Aileen used her artistic abilities and eye for color to sew heirloom quilts.

Aileen shared a gift for embracing both the little and big adventures in life, from appreciating the stark beauty of the Arizona desert, to experiencing fine dining, enjoying high tea, or learning a new card game.  She was strong in her faith and created a home and family filled with life, laughter, and love.

Aileen Marie Brock.  Beloved wife, mother, sister and friend.  1943 – 2022.

A graveside service will be held at Greenacres Memorial Park at 10 am on Friday, July 1^st, 2022,  for Aileen Marie Brock.  A Celebration of Life gathering will be hosted following the service.

A donation in Aileen’s memory can be made to the American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/