LaVerne Marie Hart

The world lost some of its beauty the afternoon of May 27, 2010, when LaVerne Marie ""Bee"" Hart left us at age 91 to join her husband, son, parents, and other beloved family members in heaven. Her daughter was with her as she took her final breaths at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. Bee was born in Madison on August 14, 1918, the daughter of O.M. and Helen (Brinkman) Bradford. She attended grade school at St. Raphael's, and graduated from East High School in 1936. Bee earned her Bachelor's degree in art and education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1940, and completed her Master's degree in art in 1941. After teaching for a year in Rossville, IL, she returned to Madison, where Russell A. Hart met and pursued her. Although nine years older than Bee, Russ was ""the one"" and they were married at St. Raphael's Cathedral on February 9, 1944. They lived in Florida and Massachusetts during Russ' Air Force years, after which they made their home in Madison. The Bradford family had been on Lake Mendota since the early 1900s, and that was where Bee and Russ resided after the births of their two children. They loved the water, and enjoyed everything lakeside living offered. When the children were in school full-time, Bee began her career in the parochial school system, teaching at St. Bernard, Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady Queen of Peace. She then joined the Middleton school district, where she taught art for 25 years, with the majority of that time spent at Kromrey Middle School. Bee was a gifted artist who exhibited at Art Fair on the Square for many years, selling her acrylic paintings and detailed woodcut prints. Family and friends were delighted to receive her artwork as treasured gifts. In addition to the joy she found in painting, Bee was a talented seamstress, and loved reading, music, dancing, playing the piano, crocheting, and traveling the world. Summer was her travel time, usually with Russ, and over the years the itinerary included Italy, Morocco, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Monaco, Mexico, and Spain. She and Russ also took several cruises, renewing their vows on one of them. Bee was beautiful inside and out, talented, funny, kind, loving, and generous. Her children were blessed to have her as their mother. People were drawn to her, and everyone she met became a friend. She asked that Russ' favorite photo of her taken the year they were married, be used for her obituary, and her request has been honored. Bee is survived by her daughter, Kathie ""Susie"" Hart; grandchildren Bryon and Benjamin Hart; daughter-in-law Marsha Hart; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Donald F. Bradford; her husband, Russell A. Hart, on July 25, 2001; and her son, Bradford T. Hart, on October 14, 2002. Thanks go to the wonderful staff at HospiceCare for their kindness and compassion, and to dear family friends Gene and Diane Zander, for their love and support. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave. in Middleton with Msgr. Douglas Dushack presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the Mass. Bee will be laid to rest at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church, HospiceCare, or a charity of one's choice. Mom, You were always the wind beneath my wings, my best friend, and safe harbor. Nothing will ever break our bond. Your love and guidance will be with me for the rest of my life, as I know my guardian angel on earth is now my guardian angel in heaven.