Monday, March 07, 2011

Dorothy Brady, RIP

So, my paternal grandmother died Friday night.

Dorothy Rasmussen Brady, 89, of Deer Creek Blvd., Meco, passed away Friday, March 4, 2011, at home with her loving family at her side.

She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 3, 1921, a daughter of the late Lewis M. and Catherine McNealy Rasmussen.

During World War II, Dorothy was one of the first women to enlist in the U.S. Navy WAVES Program, and served her country as a pharmacist's mate 2nd class dental technician. While on duty in Oxford, Ohio, she met her husband, James Brady, whom she married on November 21, 1944. After the war, the couple resided in Chicago, Ill., where they raised seven children.

The Bradys moved to New York in 1970 and settled in Broadalbin. After many years as a homemaker, Dorothy spent nine years as an employee of the Fulton County Infirmary. She moved to Meco after the death of her husband in 2001.

Dorothy had deep feelings about volunteerism and cheerfully gave of her time wherever help was needed. Starting as a volunteer receptionist in a local hospital in Chicago, she continued her work in New York as co-chairman of the ladies Auxiliary of the Fulton County Infirmary and as a library attendant at the Wilkinson Memorial Book Station in Broadalbin.

She was a member of the Johnstown Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and served many terms as chairman of its National Defense Committee.

Dorothy was a communicant of the Holy Trinity Parish in Johnstown.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a great-grandson, Henry Bruckelmyer.

Dorothy is survived by her seven children, 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren of whom she was very proud; and several nieces and nephews.