Mary Dougherty Brady

of Annapolis, Maryland, born on January 22, 1923 in Middletown, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, March 28, 2018 in Annapolis. Mary Anah was the only child of Joseph M. Dougherty and Muriel Hickox Longworth, loving wife to Francis Xavier (Gus) Brady until his death (2000) and beloved mother to John (wife Jane), who passed away in 2015, James Brady (wife Ellen), Mary Anne Brady and Muriel (Mimi) Marquet and devoted grandmother to six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mary’s father, Joseph Dougherty, was the sole proprietor of Dougherty Drug Stores located in Hartford, Connecticut. Mary loved to recount stories of growing up in the Hartford area and helping out with the family-run business. Mary was a graduate of Kingswood Oxford School, class of 1940 and Maryland College for Women, class of 1944. Following a war-time courtship, she married Gus Brady on January 8, 1945 at the United States Naval Academy. As a Navy wife, she moved extensively for thirty years before settling in Concord, Massachusetts, where she resided for thirty-three years before retiring to Annapolis, Maryland in 1998. When Mary moved to Ginger Cove in 2005, she enjoyed reunions with many longtime Navy friends and opportunities to meet new and interesting people.

In addition to being a consummate homemaker who was completely devoted to her family, Mary had many opportunities throughout her long life to share her talents with others. Mary served as a Girl Scout leader for fifteen years in places far and wide, including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. During her tenure as a Girl Scout leader in Concord, Massachusetts, she involved Girl Scouts from Bay Area troops in the preparations for the 1975 bicentennial celebration in Concord. This included the opportunity to select items for a time capsule which was placed underneath the newly refurbished Minuteman statue for future generations to discover. Mary loved music and she sang in church choirs and choruses all over the United States, eventually becoming the choir director at St. Bernard's Church in Concord. She was an avid gardener who enjoyed discovering which plants would thrive in all the different places she lived. She also devoted countless hours to the creation of beautiful pieces of embroidery which will be cherished by her children and grandchildren for years to come.

Mary and her extended family are extremely grateful to the Ginger Cove community and, most especially, to the dedicated staff who are so caring and kind. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Mary Brady's name to the Ginger Cove Foundation 4000 River Crescent Dr. Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

On Wednesday April 11, a celebration of Mary's life will take place at Ginger Cove in Friendship Hall at 10am followed by a funeral mass at 2pm in St. Andrew's Chapel, United States Naval Academy and committal at the columbarium.