Geraldine M. Brady

Geraldine Marie Brady, 91, passed away Wednesday, March 1st, in Overland Park, KS. Born in New York, she lived her single years in Hollis, on Long Island. She was a graduate of The Jamaica High School in 1944. After graduation she began working for a petroleum company situated on the 42nd floor of the Chrysler Building. On July 28th, 1945, while at work, she glanced out her window and witnessed a small plane fly directly into the Empire State Building.

She met the love of her life while visiting relatives in Boonville, MO. Three months later, on August 18th, 1945 Geraldine married her World War II pilot, W.L. Brady, and moved to Kansas City, MO where, together, they built three businesses and raised three children. Geraldine found much joy, happiness, and fulfillment in being a mother and grandmother.

She was a practicing Catholic and member of Visitation Catholic Church throughout her productive years in Kansas City. She divided her time between her home in Kansas City, a house at The Lake of the Ozarks, and an 1800 acre farm located near Creighton MO. The farm is now known as The Settle’s Ford Wildlife Area. She once told friends she was responsible for 43 pillows in three different locations. In addition to raising her family and managing three homes, Geraldine spent many years as a member of The Ladies of Charity, spending uncountable hours doing volunteer work. As a Rockhurst Mom, she helped organize the yearly Sale-O-Rama. Her later years were punctuated by many an evening at The American Legion on 40 Highway and her presence was felt as she helped coordinate the Legion youth into a well-functioning group of Junior American Legion members. She was an outstanding seamstress and milliner and took great delight in wearing the hats she made along with her fashionable outfits. Geraldine may have moved away from New York but she certainly brought a piece of the fashion district with her. She learned to cook by trial and error, loved to entertain, dance, laugh, and truly loved song. She joined The Declarations, a vocal group in Independence, MO later in life and sang her way through old age. When she became ill and her Alzheimer’s caused her to appear unresponsive, she often responded best to music.

She is survived by her children: William Brady and wife Barbara Urness Brady; Michael Brady and wife Diana Barry Brady; and Donna Brady Ramel : biological grandchildren: Colleen Brady Glennon and husband Brian Glennon, Patricia Brady, Katie, Ryan, and Kelly Ramel: biological great grandchild: Levi James Long: step grandchildren: Curtis, Terry, and Chris Urness: step great grandchildren: Thomas, Curtis Michael, Joshua, Matthew, John, Jake, and Marie Urness, Erica Dodd, Jessica Paulsen, and Cori Arb and many step great, great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, W.L. Brady; her parents, Susan Bovaird Bradley and Frank Randolph Bradley; her brother Frank Bradley Jr., her biological great grandson Calvin James Long and step grandchild Eric Urness.

A visitation on Tuesday, March 7th from 2:00 until 3:00 has been arranged at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 9020 East 51st Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64133. The funeral mass will be held immediately after visitation at 3:00 p.m. and will be followed by internment at Mount Olivet in Kansas City, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association, 3846 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208.