The life of Meredith Brook... Mary and Jack Lakenan were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Mer- edith Brooke, on July 20, 1976 in Cape Girardeau, MO. They all set- tled into their home in St. Mary, MO. Meredith’s passion for travel started at a very young age, when she made the first of several moves to Cape Girardeau, MO in 1978. From there, she moved to Champaign, IL with her Mother, Mary Smith, and her Stepfather, Robert Smith, in 1988. Their little family then relocated to Carbondale, IL in 1989, where Meredith began high school in 1990. Meredith attended CCHS (Carbondale Community High School), where she was well liked, and made friendships that have lasted throughout her life. Meredith grew into an accomplished and valued member of the CCHS Speech Team. In 1994, Meredith earned CCHS the 1st place title at State for her per- formance in the category of Radio Speak- ing. Meredith went on to graduate from CCHS on June 3, 1994. Upon graduation, Meredith attended the University of Missouri, where she was ac- tive in her sorority, Kappa Delta. Meredith ultimately returned back to Carbondale, IL, where she attended South- ern Illinois University. She graduated on May 8, 1998 Cum Laude with a BS in Journalism, with a minor in Psychology. In March of 1998, Meredith and Patrick Rossi (Pat), her college sweetheart, adopted their beloved Black Lab, Nero. Nero sadly crossed over the “Rainbow Bridge” in March of 2012, and he is still greatly missed to this day. Meredith and Pat moved to Chicago, IL from Carbon- dale, IL, where they were united in marriage in March of 2002 during their Jamaica vacation. Upon returning from their wedding, Meredith com- pleted her Juris Doctor from the John Marshall School of Law in Chi- cago, IL. While in law school, Meredith was on the Dean’s Honor List, a recipient of the Dean’s scholarship, and studied abroad at the University of Parma in Italy, June of 2000. After graduating from the John Marshall School of Law in June 2002, Meredith worked for the Child Protective Division of the Cook County Circuit Court as a Staff Attor- ney/Court Coordinator in Chicago from August 2002 until February of 2003. In June of 2003, Meredith began working for Legal Edge, Inc. as a Contract Attorney in Chicago, IL, where she remained through February of 2004. Meredith and Pat pursued their love of world travel, making several trips to exotic locations in Africa, Central America, South America, Asia, Iceland, and Europe. In February of 2004, Meredith and Pat relocated to New York City, where Meredith gained a position with Sullivan & Cromwell as a Contract Attorney through Update Legal in April, where she remained through April of 2007. In April of 2007, Meredith took a new position with Davis Polk & Ward- well as the Conflicts of Interest Coordinator in New York, New York, where she remained through November of 2008. In May of 2006, Meredith received her MLIS as a Law Librarian from the Pratt Institute in Brook- lyn, New York. One of the highlights of her life, Meredith was blessed to be named as Godmother to Matthew Edward Moore, born on September 9, 2011, to Melody and Josh Moore. Meredith lovingly re- ferred to Matthew as her “Little Man” and they both treasured the time they spent together. Upon graduating from the Pratt Institute, Meredith earned the position as the Circulation/Reference Librarian with the New York University School of Law Library in December of 2008, where she remained until December of 2013. In January of 2014, Meredith became the Head of Circulation at the New York Society Library where she was employed until the time of her death in June of 2015. Meredith was loved and respected by her colleagues and her boss at the NYLS, just as she had been throughout her entire career, regardless of where she was working. Meredith was a sweet soul in so many lives, touching people’s hearts, no matter where she traveled. She will forever be loved and missed by her family, friends, and so many countless others. She will now be forever with Nero, throwing Frisbees to him, to his heart’s content, just as she would want it to be.

• published: 18 Jul 2015
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