In Memory of Mary Lyons Bradley

Obituary

Mary Lyons Bradley, of New Hartford, passed away peacefully on June 3.

“MLB” was raised in Frankfurt, NY, the eldest of three sisters. She received a B.A. in English from the College of New Rochelle, where she made dear and lifelong friends. During her senior year, she met Ed Bradley, a Columbia Medical School student. She graduated in 1957 and began her post-graduate studies at Columbia in English Literature. She and Ed married in 1959 and began their life together in New York City.

Mary Lyons was always keen to share a laugh, lend an ear, or offer advice. A curious, lifelong learner, MLB voraciously followed the news, audited courses at Hamilton College, took and taught classes at Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement, attended daily mass, and served as an extraordinary minister. She loved to travel, and she was proud to have visited 35 countries.

Mary Lyons and Ed were married for 62 years and spent most of those living in New Hartford, NY. They enjoyed many common interests, including playing golf and tennis, designing the garden, spending weekends in New York, attending the Glimmerglass Opera and plays in Niagara on the Lake, and skiing. Mary Lyons also loved to escape with Ed to the Caribbean. Their most fulfilling achievement was raising their four children. They enjoyed sporting activities as a family and holidays on the Cape or Ponte Vedra.

Mary Lyons was lovingly known as “Grandy” to eight grandchildren and a great granddaughter. To them, she was known for ice cream for breakfast, Saranac root beer and half moons, and organizing theatrical performances, which inevitably included a rendition of “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

Mary Lyons served her community as a volunteer for the Community Foundation of Oneida and Herkimer Counties, Landmark Society of Greater Utica, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, House of the Good Shepherd, Sunset Wood, and the Sadaquada Golf Club, serving on multiple boards, committees and leadership roles. She was most proud of her contribution to identifying and remediating the issue of lead poisoning in her community.

Mary Lyons is survived by her husband; two daughters, Kathy Sullivan and Betsy Alvord; and sister, Noreen Thomas. She was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Carney Bradley; her son, Edward Behen Bradley, Jr.; her granddaughter, Isabel Bradley Alvord; her sister, Sally Bennison; and her parents, Doc and Mary Durant.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 11, at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 66 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. There are no calling hours. The family will greet friends from 10:15 AM until 11:00 AM prior the Mass.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider doing a good deed in your community in remembrance of Mary Lyons

Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com

Arrangements are in the care of Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, New Hartford.