Sarah Bradley

1951 - 2017

Sarah Ketchum Bradley

Asheville - Sarah Ketchum Bradley, 65, of Asheville, died Thursday, April 6, 2017.

Born in Wooster, OH and raised in Sarasota, FL, she was a daughter of the late Raymond E. and Elizabeth E. (Wells) Ketchum. She was also preceded in death by her husband Peter H. Bradley, to whom she was married for 42 years; father-in-law, Rodgers A. Bradley; and brother, Mark R. Ketchum.

Sarah met her husband, Peter Bradley, on a swim team when she was nine and he was twelve, and they married in 1971. Their connection was the brightest light in her life, and they were best friends until his death in 2014.

Sarah was a graduate of Sarasota High School, where she was a state championship swimmer and voted "Most Athletic." She attended the University of Florida and worked in the medical profession for fifteen years. She loved working in medicine and was proud to serve patients.

Sarah spent her years as a mother to Lukas Bradley and Lauren Bradley Robichaud putting together incredible Halloween costumes, spaghetti dinners, and family card games. She lived in Ocala, FL and Snellville, GA before moving to Asheville, NC in 2008 to be closer to her grandson, Patrick. She was a fun and loving grandmother, spending time with Patrick drawing, playing basketball, and making movies.

Sarah was a gifted artist, musician, and writer, and she filled life with generosity and humor. She was a runner and triathlete, and she advocated for the mentally ill and disabled. She loved movies, animals, hiking, and the ocean. She had an honest approach to life that is rare in today's world, and she will be profoundly missed by her family and friends.

Surviving are her daughter, Lauren Bradley Robichaud; son, Lukas Bradley; son-in- law, Shane Robichaud, and grandson, Patrick; brother, Michael Ketchum; niece, Lindsay Ketchum, and nephew, Kristen Ketchum; mother-in-law, Janet Whitman Bradley; sister-in-law, Kathleen Bradley Lily, Jim Lily, and nephews Jake and Nick Lily; brother-in-law, William Bradley and Julie Bradley; brother-in-law, Michael Bradley; and beloved dogs, Murphy and Molly.

A sunset ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 on the southern-most part of the main beach at Siesta Key in Sarasota, FL (attendees will meet in the parking area near benches).

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue in Asheville is assisting the family, and the online register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation or Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.