Karen Lee (Gilbert) Brady's Obituary
Karen Lee (Gilbert) Brady, age 77, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2025 at U of M Health West in Wyoming, MI. She was born in Muskegon, MI on May 25, 1947 to Alfred and Leona (Borgman) Gilbert and lived most of her life in the Muskegon area prior to moving to Thompsonville for several years and Grand Rapids for the past 2 ½ years. Survivors include her husband, Tom Brady; 2 children, Andrea (Adam) Rosema, Matthew (Bridget) Brady; 1 stepson, Patrick (Kristine) Brady; and 7 grandchildren, Gabe, Nate, and Noah Rosema, Samantha, Allison, and Elle and Maddie Brady. She also cherished “adopted” son, exchange student Rasmus Dalsgaard. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Karen married Thomas D. “Tom” Brady on June 15, 1973. She worked as a bookkeeper for Jackson-Merkey Contractors for nearly 10 years once her kids were in school. She was a longtime member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Karen had been active with the Service League and the Muskegon County Catholic Education Foundation where she was very involved with the Rainbow Auction Committee. She was a highly skilled cook and loved spending time with her family and friends near the lake on wave-runners or in the boat. She and Tom hosted many get-togethers where they prepared amazing food, enjoyed a few cocktails, and played cards late into the night. She possessed a strong will, a feisty personality, and beautiful handwriting. Karen was a voracious reader her entire life acquiring more books than her kids know what to do with. Her iron-will was put to the test when she was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in late 1993. A rare type of cancer much like the woman it struck, Karen far exceeded her prognosis of “6 months to live” because she was determined to see her children graduate from high school. She loved her grandkids more than words can express.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Monday, February 24, 2025 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1110 Dykstra Road, North Muskegon, MI 49445, with Rev. Fr. Godfrey Onyekwere presiding. Interment will take place at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held 4-6 PM Sunday at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the Mass on Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Great Lakes Amputee Network Group at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Sign the online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.
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