Mary Elizabeth Bracken (nee Norton) took the Lord's hand and returned home on July 20, 2019 at the age of 86. Mary was born and raised in Queens, New York and graduated from Dominican Commercial High School in Jamaica, Queens. She married her husband of 63 years, Sergeant Major Hugh J. Bracken in 1952. Together they raised five wonderful children while posted at various Army bases around the world, such as Germany, Fort Dix, Fort Knox, Fort Sill, and U.S Army Missile Base, New Britain, Connecticut. After retirement from the Army, they returned to Long Island, New York, where Mary worked for the IRS, Sterns Dept. Store, and as a volunteer overseeing election voting in their town of Central Islip, NY. She and "Hughie" retired to Cape Cod, living in Sandwich, Mass., where Mary enjoyed her time with friends and family.
She was a strong, quiet, and kind woman who was always available for anyone in need. She instilled in her children the importance of love and compassion for others. Her sense of humor and patience will be sorely missed and hard to replace.
Mary was preceded in death by her youngest son, Firefighter Kevin H. Bracken (FDNY) who gave his life saving others on 9-11, husband SGM Hugh J. Bracken, parents William J. Norton and Rosetta F. Norton, brother William Norton, and sister Rosetta Birdsall.
She is survived by her children William Bracken and wife, Nancy of Cortland, NY, Mary Carlson and husband Richard of Sandwich, MA, Kathleen Brown and husband Jim, of Houston, TX., Patricia Sample and husband, Chuck, of Woodway, TX, and daughter–in-law, Jen Liang of New York, NY. Mary is also survived by brother Michael J. Norton and wife, Christine, of Midlothian, VA, brother Albert Norton, and grandchildren Joel and wife Rosalind, of Folsom, PA, Kerin Carlson, of Sandwich MA, Keara Brown, of Boston, MA, and Mallory Brown, of Houston, TX, as well as great grandchildren, Evan and Ian Carlson. Also missing their Aunt Mary are many loving nieces and nephews, who will remember her from family times in New York and on Cape Cod.
Mary's family is so grateful for the support from all her caregivers, MaryAnn, Dawn, Donna, Frannie, and all the nurses and aides from VNA Hospice of Cape Cod. Their help was always compassionate, efficient, professional, and allowed her family to care for her until the end of her life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2019 at Corpus Christi Parish 324 Quaker Meeting House Road East Sandwich. Burial at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Mary's son Kevin, donations may be made to the Ray Pfeifer Foundation, an organization dedicated to assisting September 11th first responders with medical needs not covered by their insurance. (https://www.theraypfeiferfoundation.org/donation/).
