Brooke's Story

      “Forever Sweet Sixteen, Brooke Audrey D’Aleo was an angel on Earth. After a courageous 27-month battle with leukemia, Brooke passed away on June 27, 2024. 

     Brooke was born on July 29, 2007, to her devoted parents Megan and Frank.  As she grew, so did her shine. Brooke took great pride in being a big sister and role model to Paige—her forever best friend.  Brooke was everyone’s friend, and she cared deeply about the people in her life, often putting other’s feelings and needs before her own.  This selflessness was especially apparent throughout her courageous battle with cancer.

      Brooke was a hardworking student at John Jay High School. She loved school and easily formed deep bonds with her classmates and several teachers.  When diagnosed with cancer, she vowed to graduate with her class, even though this required long hours on zoom at the hospital.  Even on her sickest days, her tenacity and will to learn surprised and delighted her teachers. Brooke was working toward a goal: she planned to return to Sloan Kettering as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse to help other kids through their fight.

     Beyond school, Brooke enjoyed many activities and sports throughout her life, including dance, Girl Scouts, basketball, soccer, swim team and tennis. But from the age of 4, Brooke’s passion was softball. Not only was she great at the game, but she was an all-star teammate. Brooke was always there to cheer on the girls and encourage them to play their best, even when she couldn’t.

     Brooke never let cancer diminish her spirit or change her bright outlook on life. Anyone who knew her quickly fell in love with her uniquely warm and genuine soul. Brooke would want everyone to know about the extraordinary care that she received at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Doctors, nurses and hospital staff worked tirelessly to cure her. Brooke had a special, unbreakable trust and bond with her team of doctors. Her family will be forever grateful for their love, compassion and care during Brooke’s long journey.

     To know Brooke was to love Brooke. Her kind eyes and beautiful smile brightened every day. The greatest tribute to Brooke’s spirit and love of life is for us to live each day with joy, hope and the desire to be the best version of ourselves.”