Mary Christine Braley

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Christine Braley, a remarkable lady who dedicated her life to family and community. Mary passed away peacefully on Friday, November 3, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas surrounded by family. She was born on Christmas Day 1934 in Worcester, Massachusetts to Rose and William O’Connell. Mary met her true love and future husband, Bill Braley, at South High School in Worcester. They had four children that she adored. Over the years their family moved from Massachusetts to New Jersey, Texas, and California. Mary made San Antonio her home in her later years.

Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her devotion to her children was unwavering, spending time between New England and Texas in support of her four children. As a grandmother, Mary was a source of fun, warmth and comfort. She treasured her role as "Grandma," creating a special bond with each of her fifteen grandchildren that was filled with laughter, stories, and an abundance of love. She took delight in watching them grow up. She traveled widely to celebrate all their many successes and milestones. She was especially proud that all her children and grandchildren earned college degrees, including doctorates and masters. In the later years of her life, Mary embraced the joy of being a great-grandmother to her fifteen great-grandchildren.

Mary's professional life was marked by her unwavering commitment to education. She began her accomplished career at Assumption College (her alma mater) in Worcester, then moving to San Antonio to become the Director of Human Resources at St. Mary's University for almost two decades. Her steady leadership, her compassion for those she served, and her dedication made Mary an indispensable part of the St. Mary's community. Her impact on the University and the people she helped will be remembered for years to come.

Beyond her work, Mary was a woman of many passions and talents. She had a lifelong love of art and music. She learned to toile paint as a hobby making beautiful items for the home and as gifts.She was a patron of the San Antonio symphony for years. Mary loved to swim, with a particular affection for spending time with family and friends at the ocean. She grew up on the beaches in Cape Cod and the Hampton Beach boardwalk. She loved her time in California enjoying the Pacific coastline. Her greatest enthusiasm was to travel. She explored her own country extensively, and in retirement, she and her dear friend Babs shared multiple excursions to the world’s greatest cities. She explored with curiosity and wonder, immersing herself in diverse cultures and history and loved to journal about what she saw.

Across all her journeys, from childhood to retirement years, Mary could often be found with her nose in a book. She loved to read to her grandchildren and great grandchildren and passed on the magic and importance of storytelling. Mary was a member of numerous book clubs and enjoyed talking about the books as much as reading them. She had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and perspective, which she nurtured through reading and expanded through writing. She will be remembered for spreading her joy and commitment to life-long learning to three generations of her family.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Rose and William O’Connell; sister, Rosalie Martin; and husband, John W. Braley, Jr. Mary is survived by her loving brother, John D O’Connell; daughter, Chris Crane; sons, John “Bill” Braley III and wife Mary, Michael B. Braley and wife Chris, and Joseph T. Braley and wife Jo; her 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary had a life well lived and was well loved by many. She left an amazing legacy of love and laughter.

Mary cared deeply for others. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the San Antonio Food Bank, St. Mary's University Scholarship fund, or the Alzheimer's Association in her memory.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

Rosary and Celebration of LifeFriday, November 10, 20236:00 PMPorter Loring Mortuary North2102 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78232

Funeral MassFriday, November 17th, 202310:00 AMHoly Spirit Catholic Church8134 Blanco Road, San Antonio, TX 78216