Mary R Brader Conti

Mary R. Brader Conti, 98, passed peacefully Monday, December 29, 2025, in St. Anne’s Nursing Home, Rockford, Illinois. Born April 22, 1927, the daughter of Robert and Pauline (Aliprandini) Turcato. Mary graduated from St. Patrick Catholic Grade School, Rockford, June 11, 1941. Mary’s family moved to Tucson, Arizona, for a short time and Mary graduated from Tucson Senior High School May 25, 1945. Mary continued her education at Rock Valley College, Rockford, earning an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science on May 19, 1983, where she met lifelong friends Suzanne Lozzio and Cindy Whitmer.

Mary married Glen C. Brader on March 11, 1949, Rockford. Mary and Glen raised two sons together. Glen passed away July 26, 1986, after a long illness. Mary was blessed to meet and marry Louis A. Conti on May 14, 1988, in Rockford, giving her 7 adult step children and 2 grandchildren. Louis passed away September 7, 2005.

Mary was well known for her beautiful smile which she always had on her face. Mary was a generous, kind, loving, strong woman accepting of all and was very charitable to many causes. Mary had a great love for her cats, Pumpkin, Precious, and Mimi, to name a few.

Mary had a career at Ritter Engineering of Rockford where she met several lifelong friends. Member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Catholic Women’s League and Caritas. She volunteered many hours tutoring children in math and reading at Keith Country Day School in Rockford. Mary had a lifelong love of tennis and played well into her 60’s. Mary had a great love of numbers, reading, playing bridge and watching old movies.

Survivors include her sister, Antonia Rafalsky, LaBelle, Florida; Steve (Loretta) Conti, Rockford; Jay Gould, Cape Coral, Florida; Charles Conti, Knoxville, Tennessee; Catherine (Clark) Everhart, Winter, Wisconsin; Margaret Perry, Tucson, Arizona; Michael Conti, Evans, Georgia; Joanne Conti. Grandchildren Charles (Marla) Brader, Fairfield, Iowa; Christina Magdziarz, Roscoe, Illinois; Tyler (Leah) Everhart, Lynnwood, Washington; Caitlin (Ryan) Nonnenmacher, Knoxville, Tennessee. Great grandchildren Zachary, Taylor, Jackson Magdziarz; Seth, Natalie Brader; Alana Everhart; Carter Nonnenmacher; special cousins Judy and Rich Turcato; nephew Steve Lantz; special friend’s Skip and Joan Breuer, and Rick Cervantes.

Predeceased by parents, husband Glen Brader, son Robert Brader, husband Louis Conti, son Steve Brader, niece Suzanne Rafalsky, grandson Steven Margdziarz; daughter Linda (Conti) Gould.

Mary will be buried in private at Calvary Cemetery in the spring of 2026. She requested no service or flowers. Memorials may be made to two of her many favorite charities, Rockford Rescue Mission and St. Bernadette Church, both of Rockford, Illinois, or a charity of donor’s choice. Send condolences to www.fitzgeraldfh.com