Brooklyn Zwahlen

Brooklyn was born to Amy and Tom Zwahlen on March 29th, 2005 in Ft. Collins. They immediately knew she would be unique—because of her "tiny ear" microtia. And Brooklyn certainly lived up to that uniqueness.

Brooklyn showed a very early interest in planes, pointing to the sky whenever a plane flew over and shouting "plane!" This was especially entertaining on trips to the airport.

School was easy for Brooklyn; she was a voracious reader—devouring way beyond her grade level. She even preformed in a family talent show as a "reader" quietly sitting on the floor with her book. Brooklyn attended Coyote Ridge Elementary school, Lucile Erwin Middle School, and then attended Loveland High School. She worked diligently while at Platte and earned her high school diploma from Greeley High School.

Brooklyn attended a STEM camp in California one summer and applied to NASA when she was 13 years old. She accepted the generous response of NASA personnel who suggested she apply again when she had had more education and experience.

Swimming was in Brooklyn's DNA, and she swam every summer for their neighborhood team. She went on to swim in middle school and lifeguarded for two summers in high school at a neighborhood pool. Tennis team and marching band were other high school activities. Brooklyn was a talented saxophone, oboe, and bassoon player.

Brooklyn had a short full life—interrupted by brain illness which led to her imprisonment at Denver Women's Correctional Facility. She died Friday, November 29th, 2024. Brooklyn leaves behind her parents Amy and Tom, her three younger siblings, grandmother, aunts, uncles, and many cousins.