Nancy Leona Brady

Nancy Leona Brady (July 26, 1942 – February 19, 2025)
Nancy Leona Brady was born in Shafter, California on July 26, 1942 to Carl Lee Ayres and Minnie Leona Ayres. She enjoyed growing up in McFarland with her three siblings, Frances Petkewich, Sam Ayres, and Jim Ayres. She had a deep love for reading and writing and took great pride in having her term paper displayed in the McFarland Library. In her free time, she could often be found immersed in a book, cherishing every moment spent reading. She also enjoyed sewing and making clothes for herself and her family and friends. She graduated from McFarland High School before attending Bakersfield College. After college, she briefly married and had her daughter Viki. A few years later, she started working at Brady-Brandt Insurance Agency, where she met and married the love of her life William (Bill) Brady.
During their marriage, Nancy and Bill became partners in Brady-Brandt Insurance Agency and she continued to excel, eventually becoming the first woman in Kern County to hold both the Associate in Risk Management and Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designations. Nancy and Bill sold the agency to Walter Mortenson Insurance, where Nancy became second-in-charge until her retirement. During this time, she was a member of service clubs such as Soroptimist, the Lions Club, and was a champion of women in business. After retirement, she continued to feel strongly about service to her community, as she was a member of the Guild House for many years. During this time, she also became an avid golfer and spent much of her time enjoying golf and competing in many tournaments with her friends at Stockdale Country Club. As with most of the things she did, she became very involved and ultimately served as the Women's Club President. In addition to golf, she loved playing Mahjong with her friends. While she had many interests and hobbies, her favorite activity was spending time with her family.
Throughout her life, Nancy and Bill enjoyed traveling, visiting their home on the central coast as well as many places all over the world. She continued traveling after Bill's death with close friends and often said one of her favorite trips was seeing the animals in Africa.
She is survived by daughter, Viki Ewing (Tom); her grandchildren Alexandra Frey (Michael), Mark Baggs and Cameron Baggs; stepdaughters Kathleen Anderson (David) and Christine Rice, and their children Danielle Wilkerson (Corey), Erica Anderson, Brittany Rice, Justine Rice, and Michael Rice. She is also survived by sister Frances Petkewich (Joseph) and Jim Ayres (Joyce) and her many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband William Brady of 39 years. She is also preceded in death by brother and sister-in-law Sam and Polly Ayres.
Mass will be held at St. Philip's on Friday, March 7 at 9:30 a.m. A private interment will be held at Greenlawn Southwest. In lieu of flowers, please remember Nancy by donating to a charity of your choice.