Danielle Buck-Brooks, 60, of Dowagiac, MI passed away Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after a long fight with cancer. She was diagnosed 4 years ago with stage IV breast cancer. After a year of treatment, stopped when she could no longer tolerate the side effects.
The family has chosen to memorialize her with a private ceremony. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Foundation | Susan G. Komen®. To share a memory or message of condolence, please visit Danielle’s personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.
Danielle was born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 9, 1965, to William and Joyce (Cerbone) Heinz. She graduated Walton high school in Marietta, GA and furthered her education briefly at Kennesaw University, later graduating summa cum laude from Western University with a bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education. In 1984, she met John Buck when he was coaching her younger brother in soccer. They married November 22nd 1986. They had two daughters Amanda and Rachel Buck who she considers to be her life’s greatest accomplishments. In December 2005, John and Danielle divorced. She later met the love of her life, Allan Brooks while doing marketing for a company that had assisted living facilities across the country. Al said she was the most beautiful woman he ever saw and they were inseparable after meeting. They married June 26th 2012 in Marco Island, Florida.
Early in her life, she taught aerobics classes and loved weightlifting which she introduced to her eldest daughter. She enjoyed rollerblading, gardening, and biking. She loved birdwatching with Al and always kept multiple birdfeeders full of seeds around the house. Her laugh and smile would fill a room. As a mom, she wrote letters from Santa for the kids and devised scavenger hunts to find their easter baskets. She attended every track and cross country meet, as well as every graduation even when it meant a painful 8-hour car ride due to metastasis in her spine. She was a sore loser, stubborn, and loved peanut buster parfaits from Dairy Queen. She could get the best deal on anything and would walk away with a person practically paying her to take it (likely because they were tired of arguing with her). She was charismatic and attracted beautiful people in her life, especially her husband Al who cared for her lovingly until the end.
Danielle is survived by her husband, Al Brooks, mom – Joyce Heinz, daughters – Amanda and Rachel Buck, stepdaughters Jackie and Sara Brooks, stepson Joe Brooks, sister – Lauren Haines, and brother – William Heinz.
Memorial Contributions
Please click a link below to make a memorial contribution to Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen.
Service Information
Danielle will be memorialized in a private ceremony.
Posted On: Monday, August 25, 2025 2:40 PM
