HATFIELD, MA – Mathilda (Dorsch) Brooks entered into eternal rest on Monday March 9th, 2026, after visiting with her entire family by phone or in person. She was born on November 2nd, 1933, in New York, NY to loving parents Lawrence and Maria (Fischer) Dorsch. Millie was educated at local schools and was a 1951 graduate of Saint Michael’s High School in Northampton, MA.
After graduating, she worked a variety of jobs including bookkeeping, packaging at Snack Time, quality control at Multi Color, and ran home day care. Millie met and married her late husband Donald Brooks, who had been the love of her life and partner for an incredible 64 years. She was a devoted mother to her five children and her foster child. She was later blessed further by the birth of her many grandchildren and many great grandchildren. In addition to camping and traveling with her family, Millie enjoyed making ceramics, and for many years running the 4H Cooking club.
Millie and her husband Don donated many hours as Mr. & Mrs. Claus at the Hatfield Town Christmas celebrations, nursing homes, Council of Aging, and family Christmas gatherings bringing so much joy to children and adults alike. For her service and support throughout the years, she received an award of recognition from the Hatfield Council on Aging. Since her last years she was living in Huntington with her daughter, Linda, she received the Boston Globe Cane for the oldest resident in Huntington. Millie was also a three-time cancer survivor, which gives hope to others.
She leaves behind her beloved children, Michael and Christopher Brooks, Linda Lastowski, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mathilda is predeceased by her son Peter D. Brooks, her daughter, Marie LaPlante, her husband Donald Brooks, who passed in 2018, and most recently, her beloved younger brother Rev Henry L. Dorsch, who passed in February 2026.
Funeral services will be held at AHEARN FUNERAL HOME on Thursday, March 19th, 2026, with visiting hours from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by the Liturgy of Burial at Our Lady of Grace Church, 11 School St., Hatfield at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow the Mass in Main Street Cemetery, 49 Main Street in Hatfield, MA 01038.
Millie loved animals and frequently made donations to charitable organizations for animals, please make any Donations in Millie’s memory to: Dakin Animal Shelter, 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105 or through website Dakinhumane.org
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