Mrs. Catherine "Cassie" Bradbury

Cassie Bradbury died on the morning of Wednesday, March 4, after a peaceful week in palliative care at St. Michael’s hospital in Toronto. She was 91. Her five children were by her side each day, and shared meaningful moments with her: Laura (Don Chiasson), Tim (Nancy Keenan) David, Cathrin (John Barber) and Ann (Damion Dooley). Many of her nine grandchildren were also with her, and sent their love: Brennan Lang; Kristen Bradbury; Connor, Sam and Noah Bradbury; Kelly and Mary Barber; and Keogh and Claire Dooley. She was also visited by her devoted nieces and nephews. Her constant companion was her husband of 71 years, Bill Bradbury, 93, who held her hand and sang love songs to her every day.

Cassie was born to James Kelly and Catherine Osbaldeston in St. Catharine's, Ontario on September 12, 1923, the youngest of three daughters. She adored her older sisters, Mary and Helen, who predeceased her (Helen just this winter, at 96). Best friends for life, the three had a way of turning a walk to the store into an adventure, and their stories held us in their thrall. Cassie met Bill at a YMCA wartime dance in St. Catharine's when she was 20 and he was a 22-year-old airforce recruit. He spied her across the room, the best dancer there, he said, and they danced all night. Afterwards they went to a soda fountain for ice cream sundaes, and six months later they were married.

Cassie studied to be a secretary and was the top typist and shorthand student in her class, which served her well in her work as an executive assistant. Her other job, as a mother and master of the household arts, was full of industry. She did not shirk work of any kind: she could make a hat, smock a dress, bake a dozen pies, and preserve anything edible. Her children and grandchildren were grateful recipients of her work as a seamstress (a talent shared by her own mother) and knitter. She did good works throughout her life with The St. Catharine's Study Club, a group of women committed to helping those in need.

Cassie was a voracious reader and writer, and fulfilled a dream at 59 when received her B.A. She wrote poems and plays, and staged elaborate shows for her family and friends. She was happiest when we were costumed up for one of her productions. Her comfortable home in Grimsby with Bill was often packed with family and friends.

Bill’s last words to Cassie on Wednesday were, "I can’t pray for her to go to heaven because she’s already there. See you soon.” Cassie's last words to us were, "Thank you." Her sweetness lingers with us.

Our sincere thanks go to the caregivers at The Toronto General, who shepherded us to the remarkable palliative team at St. Mike’s. We think of them all with great fondness.

A visitation and prayer service will be held at St Basil’s Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto at 10.30 a.m. on Monday, March 9th, 2015.