HUDSON FALLS – Mary Elizabeth “Sis” O’Brien Bromley, 86 of Spruce Street, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her own home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, November 29, 2012.
Born on November 15, 1926, in Fort Edward, she was the daughter of the late John T. and Lena (McKinney) O’Brien.
Mary started her education in a one room school house located at the corner of St. James Road and Mahaffy Road in Fort Edward. She graduated from Fort Edward High School.
On September 15, 1952, she married Richard “Dick” Bromley at St. Mary’s Church in Hudson Falls. Her beloved husband passed away on February 9, 2006.
In her younger years Mary worked as a clerk at a jewelry store on South Street in Glens Falls. She left there to raise her three sons and then took a job as Head Baker for the Hudson Falls School System. The students and staff fondly remember her warm smile and disposition and a “special second helping” now and then.
She was a communicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls and served many years as a member of the Fort Hudson Nursing Home Auxiliary. She and her husband also volunteered for Meals on Wheels.
Mary’s greatest joy was her family. Every Sunday at Mary’s house she prepared breakfast for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary enjoyed attending her grand-kids dance recitals, sporting events and other activities they were involved in. Mary loved spending time with them on her wooden swing in her yard. She also loved to draw with them. She made the best smiley faces. She loved gazing at the moon and would tell her family to think of her whenever they saw the moon and stars. Mary loved ballroom dancing with her husband Dick, and taking their daily walks down Pincheon’s Hill. Vacations to Myrtle Beach and Marginal Way in Maine were very special to Mary. She loved walking on the beach looking for seashells. Mary cherished time spent with her sister Helene, whether it was in person, or the many hours she spent talking to her on the phone. Mary loved a good conversation with old and new friends. Mary made friends with everyone she met and made everyone feel special. She truly touched the lives of everyone she met. Mary will always be remembered for her sincerity, kindness, no-bake cookies and her cinnamon buns.
“Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you. Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you. But in your dreams, whatever they be, dream a little dream of me.”
Besides her husband and parents she is predeceased by her brother, John T. O’Brien.
Her survivors include her sons, Peter Bromley and his wife Laurie of Wilton, Paul Bromley and his wife, Roxanne of Kingsbury and Brian Bromley and his wife, Claire of Fort Ann; her beloved grandchildren, Thomas Bromley,(Michele), Jared Bromley, Elizabeth Cook, (Andrew), Amanda Bromley (companion Andy Kostyk), and Laura Bromley. Four step-grandsons, Jason,(Jen) Jeremy,(Cany) Jonathan, (Jess) and Joshua, (Rob) French; her great-grandsons, Landon and Callen Cook, Caleb and Joshua Bromley and her step-great grandchildren; Justice, Clayton and Sophia. One sister, Helene Heed of Fort Edward, her sisters-in-law, Jackie O’Brien of Watertown, Carol Bromley of Gansevoort and Betty Bromley of South Glens Falls; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and two very special people, her “adopted daughter” Brenda Pettys and “adopted son” Thomas Derecko, as well as many special neighbors and friends who meant so much to her.
At Mary’s request there will be no calling hours, however the family is holding an Open House on Saturday, Dec. 8th from 1-4 pm at the Kingsbury Firehouse on Burgoyne Avenue, Hudson Falls, to allow people the opportunity of share memories and offer condolences.
A Memorial Mass will take place on Saturday, December 8, 2012, at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church, on the park in Hudson Falls.
The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the Town of Fort Edward.
Mary’s family wishes to extend sincere thanks to all of the Nursing staff at the Glens Falls Hospital, Washington County Hospice, and Mary’s beloved neighbor, Christine Cervone-Murphy, for their compassion and wonderful care provided to Mary during her short illness.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Activities Department at the Fort Hudson Nursing Home or Washington County Hospice.