Lillian G. Brady

1934 - 2022

Lillian G. Brady
January 8, 1934 - September 1, 2022
Lillian passed away gently at home. She was born in Laurelton, Queens to Waldemar M. Gomes and Lillian A. (Randle), and married James J. Brady on November 10, 1956. She is survived by eight children, Jim Brady of Stratford, CT, Karen O'Brien (Bill) of Amenia, NY, Kathy Brady of Williamsburg, VA, Jeanette Carlucci (Mike) of Danbury, CT, Tim Brady of Stamford, CT, Andy Brady (Donna) of Lancaster, PA, Peggy Brady of Brewster, NY and John Brady (Karen) of Danbury, CT; along with 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; and her nieces and nephews. Lillian was predeceased by her brother Wally; her husband James of 51 years; and her beloved son Michael.
Lillian was a graduate of Andrew Jackson High School Class of '52. She went to work as a secretary for Binney & Smith (Crayola Crayons) in Manhattan, NYC until the birth of her first child.
Lillian was a true sports mom; dedicated to Brewster Little League "Hawks" for many years, Gary Owen Cadets, Irish dancers, SRMCA swim team, St. Lawrence Tigers basketball & cheerleading, North Salem youth soccer & field hockey, Brewster youth football & bowling leagues, along with the Kennedy Gaels' football, basketball, wrestling & baseball teams & IONA College crew team. Her major league favorites began as a young girl with Pop, loving the Brooklyn Dodgers. When they moved west, she & Pop chose the NY Mets to stand by, a tradition she carried on with Michael & Andy through thick and thin! She also loved the Buffalo Bills. She is loving this year's performance of both!
Lillian was a volunteer reading tutor at St. Lawrence O'Toole School. She loved reading Grisham, Patterson & King, and the local newspaper. She followed politics & QVC very closely, literally at the same time with two TVs on all day long! … Together, she & Jimmy loved horse racing, especially Saratoga every August. What started as their annual vacation expanded out to friends who joined their passion.
Lillian grew up in Laurelton but spent her summers at her parents' home in West Saugerties, NY. She loved swimming the pools of Blue Mountain – Dailies, Lemon Squeeze, Blue Hole & Cahn's Falls -- where, as a teenager, she met Jimmy Brady. Mom loved the smell of gardenias – and a newborn's hair! She loved the mountains & the ocean! She loved the beauty of her daffodils, her dogwood tree in bloom, & autumn was her favorite season. She loved her cats from CG to Bagheera. She loved when a child would softly brush her hair. Mom loved Tom Jones & Andrea Bocelli, what a range! She loved Steve McQueen & Robert Redford, Audrey Hepburn & Meryl Streep. Mom was a true foodie -- she loved to cook & to eat! She could make a gourmet meal from sale items in a weekly flyer. She also loved dinner out; an All-You-Can-Eat buffet was a treat! She knew every local restaurant & their specialty. It would become a habit to plan dinner & a movie (old or new, or both!) especially with her friends for Girls' Night. And Mom & her girls were a special group whose friendship truly stood the test of time starting in the 60s! They were a sisterhood who shared each other's trials and joys of life & family, especially Jane who was by her side to the end, and forever!
For our mother, 'Mom' was her lifelong career – family always! She loved all of us with a full heart! She cared deeply for everyone, always wanting to truly know about you - whoever she was speaking to! Never wanting to be the center of attention -- unaware she was always the center to us! Mom was our listener & counselor, with compassion & empathy – always teaching us by how she lived simply honestly & selflessly, with kindness & even humor!
To Mom, Nana and Lil: You were a wonderful & unforgettable part of our world, and you are already sadly missed. But we know you are with us always and that you are smiling (even giggling) forevermore, assuring us again & again saying, "I'm fine." We now know and we're grateful that you are truly fine! We love You!
Lillian chose to have a private family interment. There are no calling hours or services. In lieu of flowers, any remembrance can be made as a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and/or ALS Association-Greater New York Chapter, als-ny.org.