Bridie M. Brayford

BRAYFORD, Bridie M., 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 6, 2009. She is survived by her devoted husband, Bob Brayford; her daughter, Missy (Alan) Swajkoski of Boise, Idaho; four grand-children, Franny (Peter) Apel, Katie, Robbie (Jenny), and Jenny Swajkoski; three brothers, William, Bernard, and Tom Hawco; and seven sisters, Angela Quinlan, Anne Stier, Gert Vukas, Florie Godfrey, Mary Essary, Madeline Fleming and Tess Walker. She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Hawco; mother, Bertha Hawco; and sister, Elizabeth Adams. Bridie was born in Newfoundland, Canada and received her U.S. citizenship in 1955 in Clinton, Iowa. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Bridie loved being outdoors, working in her yard, playing tennis, camping, and fishing. She loved her home and being a lifelong homemaker. She loved to travel with Bob and go camping and fishing in the Shenandoah Mountains, riding an elephant in Thailand, and going to the Calgary Stampede. Their life together was full of love and laughter. Bridie's family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2009 at Bliley's-Chippenham, 6900 Hull Street Rd., where a memorial service will be held Saturday, September 19, 2009, at 10 a.m. The family wishes to thank Amoy Boland, her home caregiver, the staff at The Crossings at Bon Air, and her Hospice helpers for the gentle and loving care they provided to mom. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Catholic Charities of Virginia.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.