Obituary of Marlene A. Brady

Marlene A. (Gurga) Brady, 82 years old passed away peacefully at Nathan Littauer Extended Care facility on Sunday, June 7th.  Born in 1938 to Julia and Ed Gurga.

    Survivors include her 2 children, Mary (Robert), her GrandDaughter Annie Clementin and her son John (Maria).  She was predeceased by her parents Ed and Julia and her precious Granddaughter Katie Anne.

    Marlene had a wonderful life. She became a nurse in 1961  and immediately started her career, as a dedicated nurse, at Nathan Littauer Hospital, where she would remain for the following 40 years.  She loved her co-workers as family and was an outstanding supervisor in her later years at the hospital up until her retirement in 2000.  Her closest and dearest friendships were born at NLH.  She was a loving , caring and compassionate nurse.  Just as loving and caring as she was with her patients and co-workers, she was ten fold that to her 2 children < Mary and John.  They were the light of her life until the day she passed.  She taught us kindness, respect and most importantly, she taught us to love.  She gave us the love of family and friends by her example.  She taught us to listen and understand each other and to never hate.  Mom never had any hatred towards anyone and taught us to never have it in our hearts.  She was our everything as we were to her.

    Mom enjoyed skiing and taught us to ski with Dr.  Ramsey at Silver Bells, many years ago.  She also enjoyed snowmobiling with her kids and she looked pretty jazzed out in her Artic Cat attire.  She spent many years with her kids, mother and Cioccis vacationing at Wildwood Crest NJ.  When it was time for dinner, after the beach all day, she along with her Mom and Aunts would enjoy a few Manhattans and then out for a good dinner.  She enjoyed her pool immensely.  Even in her older years, when she no longer went in, she just loved to look at it and found relaxation looking at it.  She was an avid golfer starting with her partner Goodie and continuing on with Dick and Edie.  After a round of 18 ,at Nick Stoners, it was off to Dick and Pegs for a nice dinner and an occasional song or 2 at Paul Conti’s piano bar.  This is where you would find Mom and the gang playing the bongos and morrocca’s and signing.  Those were the good old days without a doubt.  Every summer she would host her annual fondue party.  Only the elite circle of friends and best of friends attended.  It was a lot of work but we all chipped in and had so many memorable times.  Never a year went bye without all of us wrapping up the evening with a few good old Judy Garland songs, Moms favorite being “Chicago”.  I can hear her singing it now.  She loved to take the kids to Vermont for a few nights in the fall, particularly Manchester and Stowe.  Once at Stowe, Maria VonTrapp bumped into her son.  She loved taking us to the “Jelly Mill”.  An old barn with a restaurant and lots of chachki.  Mom enjoyed cooking also.  She would invite her 2 neighbors up for an elaborate entree which they enjoyed with their Moose river hummers that Helen and Eleanor would bring.  Most of all, Mom loved her Yorkies.  Charlie, Sammy, Molly and Abby.  I will never forget the day when I saw her following Charlie around with a spoon trying to obtain a urine specimen, how funny.  They were her joy.  Next to that was her Rav 4.  God how she loved that car.  You would see her puttin around town which included multiple trips to the grocery store in one day.  My brother and I would giggle and say “Mamas off to the schtore again (not a mispelling) after her daily indulgence of her favorite soap opera “Days of our lives”  She loved to take her Son fishing.  They had a few close encounters with lightning at Pecks lake but no worse for wares when they docked the boat.  Some good fish stories came from that adventure.  More than anything though , she loved us.  She gave us such a memorable childhood.  She always supported our dreams and ambitions.  John loved fishing, dirt bikes and his gift of music.  Myself, whatever crazy thing that popped into my head, within reason.  Her Granddaughter Annie was the apple of her eye.  They enjoyed the simple things together, a leaf pile, a trip to Animal land and just time together.  Her in- laws were so special to her.  We spent many times making the trip to Malone to visit everyone, especially Brother Andrew ( her brother in-law).  She was never a sister in-law, she was more like a blood relative to the relatives in the North.  So many good times up there.  We just want everyone to know what an amazing, kind, strong, loving and caring person our Mom was.  John and I will miss her so very, very much and she will live on through us.  God speed Mama, love you forever!!!!

    Mom’s interment care is in the hands of Walrath and Stewart Funeral Home.  Unfortunately because of covid restrictions services will be private.  Please visit the online memorial to support the family at www.brbsfuneral.com

    John and I would like to thank all the staff that took care of her during her stay there.  Their devoted love and care of our mom went above and beyond.  We will never forget them.