Kathleen Ann Bradley's Obituary
A Tribute and Memory of Kathleen Ann Bradley Kathleen Ann Bradley, age 60, “a grown woman”, passed to her eternal life on Sunday, January 17, 2016. Kathy was born in Fort Myers, Florida on July 21, 1955 to local surgeon, Dr. Jim and Ann Bradley. She leaves behind to celebrate and honor her remarkable life her mother, Ann Bradley of Fort Myers, brothers Jim Bradley Jr. (Suzanne) of Williamsburg, VA, Dick Bradley (Diane) of Yankeetown, FL; Roger Bradley (Deryl) of Fort Myers, FL; Chris Bradley (Mary) of Tampa, FL; Brian Bradley (Joni) of Sarasota, FL; and sister Carolyn Scanlon (Jim) of Oviedo, FL. Also left to celebrate are many nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews. Kathy was born at a time in Florida when most children with severe developmental disabilities were institutionalized at a very early age and the expected life span of a child born with Down Syndrome was 25 years. Taking courage from their faith in God, the family and their community, Kathy’s family defied the conventional wisdom of the medical community and social norms of the time by refusing the institutional option and so chose to provide a loving and supportive family home and environment in which their daughter and sister would flourish and grow to become a successful contributing member of her community. Support and encouragement for Kathy came in many forms throughout her lifetime from her family and community. A year before Kathy’s birth, six Lee County families formed the Lee County Association for Retarded Children (LARC) to educate, train and prepare them for life as contributing members of the community. Very severely disabled children at the time were not eligible for a public school education in the state of Florida. Sixty one years later that organization LARC, Inc (Lee County Association for Remarkable Citizens) provides comprehensive community support services and programs to over 300 developmentally disabled adults annually. Kathy’s grandfather, Dick Perkins and mother and father Dr. Jim and Ann Bradley were active in the early days of the association as Board Officers, board members, fundraisers, and volunteers. Kathy participated in and enjoyed all aspects of life as a contributing member of the community. Kathy had a strong work ethic. She spent every working day of the last 35 years operating table and ripper saws at LARC’s woodshop making survey and grade stakes and cutting lumber used to make shipping pallets. She had to be forced to take vacation time which was due her each year. She was proud of her work and her paycheck and although she was probably unaware of it, paid her taxes on her income as productive citizens are required. Kathy filled her leisure time with many useful, entertaining, and beneficial activities. She enjoyed playing the family piano and entertained anyone willing to listen to her play harmonica. She frequently could be seen at community dances for people with special needs dancing to her favorite “Macarena” music and enjoyed parties and celebrations of any kind. She spent a great deal of her time in family activities throughout her lifetime including travel and vacations. She took advantage of the southwest Florida outdoors beginning at an early age. She especially loved the beach and boogie boarding in the surf. She spent a lot of time playing and swimming in the pool with family and friends. She jumped for hours on end on a trampoline, skated, rode bicycles, and played basketball with her brothers, sister and neighbors. She could hit about 50% of her shots from the free throw line even at the age of 60! Needless to say, Kathy was an exceptionally talented, competitive, and practiced athlete. She was a Florida State Champion Special Olympics swimmer over an extended period of time and represented the United States at the International Special Olympics games in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. In her later life she enjoyed the bowling competitions with the Lee County Special Olympics. Kathy loved animals of all kinds, having grown up in a house full of dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, fish, etc. and learned to ride horses as a young teenager. She was reintroduced to horseback riding at the age of 56 and it became one of her most favorite activities with Special Equestrians of Lee County. One quiet pastime she developed at an early age was knitting. She created many lovely afghans, blankets, and throws for family members and friends over the years as gifts for very special occasions. Some of her creations were given to newborns in the local hospitals and needy community members. Kathy’s family wishes to recognize, appreciate, and thank all of the countless family, friends, neighbors, teachers, caregivers, residents and community leaders in Southwest Florida who have provided acceptance, love, compassion and above all else opportunities and inspirations that our daughter, sister, aunt and great aunt could live, grow and thrive in her own community. We believe she is a reflection of her family and community, “a grown woman” and worthy of our tribute, love and pride. Kathy’s determination to succeed and master whatever challenge she encountered has been an inspiration to her family. Throughout her lifetime Kathy reminded all of us about the importance and strength of family. The family requests that in lieu of flowers a tribute donation in the name of Kathleen be made to: LARC, Inc, Lee County Special Olympics, Special Equestrians of Lee County, Hope Hospice, or the United Way of Lee County. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Thursday, January 21, 2016 at Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL. Friends will be received from 6 – 8 PM Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907. Online condolences may be offered at: www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Kathleen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kathleen?
Share a story where Kathleen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kathleen you’ll never forget.
How did Kathleen make you smile?