Marilyn "Pat" Bradley

1926 - 2025

Marilyn "Pat" Bradley

August 26, 1926 – September 19, 2025

Born August 26, 1926 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley, California, Marilyn Patricia Pat Deal was the daughter and granddaughter of immigrant gold miners from Cornwall, England and County Cork, Ireland. A devout Catholic, she was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Grass Valley where she was christened, received her first communion, confirmed and married.

She was married to Joe Leroy Bradley on January 13, 1946 and they had three children, Patricia Joann, Bruce Lee and Michael Kerry. Upon their marriage they relocated to the Bay Area of California where Joe was working. They spent many happy years raising their young children in Concord before moving to Citrus Heights when their kids were adolescents. There they saw their children graduate high school and college, get married and start families of their own.

Pat always longed to return to her home in Grass Valley and because Joe could never say no to her, they built a home in Alta Sierra. Sadly, just eight years later Joe suddenly passed away at just 65 years old.

She then went on to begin traveling, volunteering, bowling and riding co-pilot on a Honda Goldwing through the hills and valleys of California. Through it all she never gave up her love for flowers and gardening. No matter where she lived she had the most beautiful yard on the block. From a lush, green lawn to geraniums of every color and roses of every variety known to man, they could be found in her yard and home.

During this time she spent significant time as an awarded auxiliary volunteer at Golden Empire Nursing Home, where she was loved and adored by residents and staff alike. When she herself became a resident, the staff spoke so highly of her and were incredibly supportive and thoughtful in her final hours.

She was the gold standard of a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her heart and soul were so kind, deep and purely innocent. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Mary Deal, husband Joe Bradley, her siblings Jimmy, Barbara, Larry and Bill and her beloved grandchildren Ryan Stiarwalt and Juliana Bradley.

She is survived by her children Patricia Hooper (Ross), Bruce Bradley (Biela), and Michael Bradley (Colleen). She is also survived by her grandchildren Gabrielle Fonseca, Serena Kozlowski, Curtis Bradley and Kevin Bradley, her great grandchildren Joseph Fonseca, Austin Kennedy, Aiden Haines, Skylar Bradley, Brielle Bradley, Jamison Bradley, and numerous treasured nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be said at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church on Sunday, October 12th at 7:30 AM. Graveside services will be private. A celebration of life will be held at Hooper and Weaver Mortuary on Wednesday, October 29th at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow at The Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Salvation Army or the Nevada County Food Bank.