Dorothy A. Brady

Dorothy A. Brady, 88 years old, was called home to our Lord on November 7, 2021. After a longstanding deterioration in her health, she was enjoying the presence of family as she took her final breath. Dorothy was the cherished wife of Robert D. Brady [who died in December last year] and the extremely beloved mother of 8, grandmother of 23 and great grandmother of 8. Her love, joy, Faith and personal affirmation is already greatly missed.

Dorothy Brady was born in Rockford on February 23, 1933 to Edward & Mary Kromholz. She was blessed with her older sister, Mary Brady. She attended St. Patrick School and Muldoon High School – from which she graduated. She married Robert Brady in 1951 and became a Marine wife in San Francisco area. After having their first child, Michael, on completion of Bob's Marine Corps service, they returned to Rockford where they spent the rest of their lives – including 69 years of Marriage!

Dorothy [and Bob] gave birth to an unusually large city family [for the times] with 8 greatly loved children over 17 years. They fed them, clothed them, and treated all of their wounds – physical & social. Dorothy [and Bob] lived and taught their children Christ and the Christian life. They taught them good manners, hard work and love of each other and all others. They put all of their children through St. Edward Catholic grade school and Boylan Central Catholic High School.

Though Dorothy was a very talented artist [going back at least to high school], she gave most of her time to family, church, and community. She was a wonderful cook, seamstress, knitter, cross stitcher, and Halloween costume designer. She was a wonderful homemaker and loved to cook, bake, and decorate for the Holidays. She loved to play every kind of game – especially with family – and was a frequent winner [though she liked to let the little ones win].

This busy and talented mother of 8 later found time to sing in the St. Edward Church Choir for many years. She truly enjoyed singing Sacred & Holiday music very much. She was a Cub Scout Den Leader for several years and enjoyed inviting our neighborhood friends over for cake & ice cream on her children's birthdays – and there were many of those!

Dorothy was a proud graduate and friend to many of “the girls” at Bishop Muldoon High School. She got together somewhat regularly in the early years and, then, made it a point to stay in touch with her whole group of Muldoon friends for a big luncheon every year for many years. For a couple of decades Dorothy witnessed to life, counseled and prayed for the Unborn & their mothers, fathers and families in front of Abortion Mills in Rockford and in Texas. She volunteered to read English stories to Hispanic children while in Texas, to help them learn English. She also volunteered as a CCD Religious Education instructor at St. Edward Parish for several years.

Dorothy Brady was the quintessential mother and grandmother. She loved to be active and engaged with her young children and grandchildren. She joked, played games, and affirmed her children and grandchildren – and, some would say, at times “spoiled” her grandchildren [and none of them were objecting!].

Dorothy was a devout Catholic. She attended Mass regularly and, at times, daily. She read scripture and prayed often – including the Rosary. She read many spiritual books and enjoyed watching Catholic Television [EWTN] – especially Mother Angelica. She was not 'preachy' about what others should do but her life was a true testament to her Faith in Jesus Christ.

Finally, Dorothy loved to dance – especially with the love of her life, Bob. They could dance a number of styles but primarily loved Square Dancing. Their opportunities to get a night out and dance certainly increased as their children grew older. Then, while 'snow birding' for several years, they were Square Dancing several nights a week – and, loving it!

Dorothy gave all she had to God, Family, Church and Community. May she Rest in Peace now in God's Heavenly Community!

Dorothy is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert; her parents, Edward & Mary (Ocher) Kromholz; her step-mother, Edna Kromholz; her parents-in-law, Casper & Berneice (Lynch) Brady; her brother, Peter, who died at birth; her sister and brother-in-law, Donald & Mary Brady, her brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Paul & Colleen Glavin; her grandson, Steven Brady; and son-in-law, Donald Kirkpatrick. She is survived by her children: Michael (Carla) Brady, Patrick Brady, Tom (Cheryl) Brady, Eileen Brady, John (Jan) Brady, Kathy Kirkpatrick, Edward (Shari) Brady and Ann Brady; also, by her 22 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

There will be a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 12, 2021, at Holy Family Catholic Church. 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. until Mass with burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108.

The Brady Family is requesting in lieu of flowers, memorials for Dorothy be given in her honor to The Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford, 4108 Morsay Dr., Rockford, IL 61107 https://thepregnancycarecenter.org/

Thank you for your love & prayers for her.