Maureen Brady

It is with great sadness that we share that our Maureen Melody (Tillinghast) Brady, 75, left this world peacefully on August 29th, 2024. Melody shied away from attention and the limelight in life, but we hope she can forgive us for lavishing praise on her now as we can think of no one more deserving of tribute.

Melody was born in 1949 to Virginia and George Tillinghast. She was the middle child of 4 raised between her two sisters, Georgina and Michele, with her younger brother, George, in tow. She was born and grew up Brooklyn, NY and would argue that she had one of the happiest childhoods known to humankind. Her home was always filled with family and friends, the walls echoed with laughter, piano and, of course, TV and her memories comprised of trips to the movies, the candy store and meeting up with local friends. Growing up on E. 19th Street in the Tillinghast home, Melody’s early life oozed with love, happiness and laughter.

Melody graduated from St. Edmund’s High School and earned a full tuition education at Brooklyn College. She fell in love and was married at age 20 and had her first child, Christian, shortly thereafter. After her divorce, she moved back into her childhood home to raise Christian and continued to balance college and motherhood earning her degree from Brooklyn College. Like many things in her life, Melody did not lean on her divorce as a crutch for self-pity, but, instead, embraced the challenges of life with enduring optimism and perspective that few are fortunate to have. Her willpower and humor were a symbiosis that never let the challenges and unpredictability of life interfere with her unbounding love, positivity and compassion for those around her. Blessed with the gifts of strength and family, Melody raised Christian in the same home that she was fortunate enough to grow up in, surrounded by his cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents—both he and her together enveloped in love.

After graduating from Brooklyn College, Melody taught middle school English and History at St. Vincent Ferrer’s School in Brooklyn, NY. Melody had an endless fount of knowledge (both useful and, sometimes, useless) that she bestowed on her students. Additionally, Melody honed her skills as a disciplinarian whom her students (and children) never wanted to disappoint. For those who knew Melody, she was truly brilliant. She completed the NY Times Crossword Puzzle in pen every day—even Saturday—she was a ferocious reader, and she had endless curiosity. Additionally, she valued the importance of being well-rounded—she read 3 newspapers a day from various political spectrums; listened to both opera and John Sterling calling games for the NY Yankees; she was a member of most museums in New York City and loved seeing Jerry Seinfeld’s stand-up routine. This attribute of wide-ranging curiosity coupled with her sharp sense of humor lent itself to creating one of the most interesting and magnetic women whom everyone wanted the chair next to at a party.

Introduced by her sister, Melody met Gilbert Brady in the late 1970s. They quickly discovered their similarities—love of family, sense of humor, faith in God, Brooklyn roots and, maybe most importantly, their ability to see and enjoy the bright side of life. Shortly after being married, Melody had her 2nd child, Virginia, whom she named after her best friend, her mother.

Melody met her match in Gil, and they embraced life to the fullest and were a dynamic duo. They were rarely home—operas in Central Park, baseball games at Yankee Stadium, tree-lightings at Rockefeller Center, dinners at NYC restaurants, trips to Canada, escapes to Rhinebeck, Jerry Seinfeld concerts, museum Christmas parties—these two were always on the run and they made the most of their almost 40 years together. They were two people truly married to amazement.

Melody had strong loves-- Seinfeld, handicap parking passes, Russel Stover dark chocolate, rosé wine from Provence, Charles Aznavour, Peter Allen, Judge Judy, British TV shows, Dateline, signed memorabilia…the list can go on---but, more than anything, Melody loved being a mother and her favorite times were being with her children, Christian and Virginia. Three important things that she demanded from her children were kindness, character and class and there was no better role model than her. Although her life was shortened by cancer, she was blessed to spend more time with her children that most can imagine. And there is no doubt that her children were her biggest fans amongst many.

When Melody was diagnosed cancer 7 years ago, she faced her disease with enormous strength, resilience and faith. It was truly remarkable to witness. And even at the worst of times, she always remembered to thank people for their help and to show kindness towards others. In her final days, Melody frequently expressed how lucky she was. She was grateful for her family and friends and all that this life provided. Melody leaves behind her son, Christian, and her daughter, Virginia and her wife Justine, and her sister Michele and husband Richard Kelley and brother George and his wife Gemma Tillinghast and her stepdaughter, Jacqueline and husband Joe Kennedy plus two grandchildren Ryan and Kevin Kennedy. Additionally, she leaves numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. In spirit, she now joins her parents, Virginia and George Tillinghast, her sister, Georgina and husband Curt Webster and, of course, her husband, Gilbert Brady with whom we hope she can resume her busy schedule of visiting restaurants, going to movies and planning trips all while sharing in laughter and love at the world that she now watches over.

Melody was a real believer in ‘thank you’ cards and she might be tormented that she was unable to write her final ‘thank you’ card to the many people who have reached out and helped us during these last few months. But please, accept this obituary as her final thank you. For a person who claimed to not have any friends, Melody was so incredibly loved by all those whom she made contact with. That trait is symbolic of her unique, special spirit that we are sure will live on around us.

A wake will be held for Melody on Thursday, September 5, 2pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm at Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home and a mass celebrating Melody’s life will be at St. Joseph’s Church on Friday, September 6th at 10am.