Mary Brady

Mary Louise Brady, 94, journeyed to her final frontier on July 4, 2022. She was born on Nov. 29, 1927, in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Lawrence Neumann and Jane (Meile) Neumann. Mary Lou and her older sister Margaret were raised among books in a bright structured home by two loving parents proud of their German heritage and educated backgrounds.
She graduated from Omaha North High School in 1945 and enrolled at her dad’s alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, from which she received her BA in 1949. At the UW she met her future husband, Joseph R. Brady. Married in Omaha in 1949, they settled in Madison where they raised four children.

Active at Our Lady Queen of Peace parish and in scouting activities, Mary Lou modeled “do the right thing” in her daily life and activities with numerous neighborhood friends/families. She worked for UW-Extension Survey Research Lab from 1974-1991, retiring as Field Director. She was instrumental in the lab’s prestige and success, widely respected and loved by her colleagues and fellow administrators.

Mary Lou was smart, insightful, and kind, always asking, “What can I do for you?” Her children’s friends were always welcomed and loved hanging out. Her fondness for pets kept the house alive and children happy. A lifelong reader of science fiction and mysteries, she completed daily crossword puzzles in minutes and Agatha Christie novels in a day. Her green thumb (cacti were her favorite) and canning/cooking talents (apple and raspberry jellies and pies) were legendary. After retirement she loved traveling with her sister, both stateside and abroad—oh, the stories she could tell! She could recite dialogue from every Star Trek episode by heart. Generous and loving, she would do anything for her children and grandchildren. Never defeated by life’s challenges, Mary Lou retained her wit and sense of humor to the end.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joe; and granddaughter Christine Powell and is survived by sister Margaret Dietz; children Theresa (Joe) Powell; Joe Jr. (Cindy) Brady; Larry (Pat) Brady; and Paul (Jenny) Brady; 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Mary Lou’s friend Jane for her enduring friendship and the Noel Manor Memory Care facility and Heartland Hospice for their great care the last two years.

A family burial is planned at a later date. Donations suggested to Alzheimer’s Association ( http://alz.org ) or donor’s choice. To remember Mary Lou is to be kind.

Cress Funeral Service

3610 Speedway Rd.

Madison, WI 53705

608-238-3434