Brigitte Jeanette Strojek, age 62, devoted follower of Jesus Christ, faithful wife to her beloved husband David Strojek, loving mother to two daughters, and devoted Nana to eight grandchildren, rested in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early hours of the 28th of February after a courageous, hopeful, and faith-filled battle with brain cancer.  

Brigitte was born May 26, 1959, in Oneida, Tennessee, the second of four daughters born to Harrison and Joyce Reed.  She grew up in Grayslake, Illinois, surrounded by her sisters and many friends.  She was an excellent student, devoted friend and daughter, lover of disco/pop music, dancing, animals, and reading.  She graduated from Grayslake High School in 1977.   

In 1978 she met her husband David, a young US Navy sailor from Ohio, while working at a local shopping mall.  David spotted her through the store window and he was instantly smitten. They became lifelong friends and fell deeply in love. They were married on March 24, 1979, in Waukegan, Illinois.  

David and Brigitte traveled the world together during his service in the Navy, beginning with his duty station on the island of Guam.  They enjoyed life as newlyweds in their tiny apartment with borrowed furniture and without air conditioning. This is where they started their journey of faith and chose to follow Jesus together. After Guam they also lived in Illinois, Mississippi, California, Italy, and Virginia, and they visited many places throughout the United States and the world during their travels.  They welcomed their first daughter, Sarah, in July 1981 (Guam) and their second daughter, Joy, in January 1983 (Mississippi).  

Brigitte held many occupations over the years including home school teacher, aerobics instructor, server, nanny, MWR Recreation Manager, church events coordinator, office assistant, and, lastly, her beloved job as a special education teacher assistant with Virginia Beach City public schools.  She and David taught together at Kempsville Middle School and Tallwood High School for a total of 16 years.  She loved her students fiercely and went out of her way to teach and support them.  Brigitte was also a fellow student herself, earning an Associate’s Degree from Tidewater Community College in December 2019 at the age of 60.

Brigitte loved to watch the birds from her kitchen windows.  Her favorites were “her bluebirds,” hummingbirds, and cardinals.  She loved to study the Word of God, garden, and go on walks around the neighborhood where she met many friends.  She cherished the outdoors, butterflies (some of which she raised), bike riding, walks on the beach, and hikes. But mostly, Brigitte loved Jesus and people.  She would make friends wherever she would go and desired to help people in whatever way she could.  Brigitte would listen, pray, and share God's love with those around her in tangible ways.    

Preceded to heaven by her mother, Joyce Ann Reed, and her grandson Max Alexander Ganzel, she leaves behind her beloved husband of 43 years, David Strojek; daughter Sarah Hanna and her husband Clay; daughter Joy Ganzel and her husband Alex; seven grandchildren: Henry Hanna, Cole Hanna, Ruby Hanna, Jane Hanna, Isaiah Hanna, Vivienne Ganzel, Annabelle Ganzel; father Harrison Reed; three sisters: Ava Wolfe and her husband Carl; Gaylia Vaughan; and Heather Reed; as well as her nieces and nephews and precious friends.

She is greatly missed by family and friends, and especially her life partner David.

Brigitte’s Celebration of Life will be held June 11, 2022, at Red Wing Park in Virginia Beach, VA. 

(Time yet to be determined.)

Condolences and words of encouragement can be shared through: 2505 Castle Hill Court, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454; david.strojek@gmail.com; 757-472-7990.