Nancy Jean Bradford

Nancy Jean Bradford of Wray was born April 12, 1937 in Holyoke, the 9th child of Vernon and Leona Daniels Smith.  She passed away February 28, 2025 at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke at the age of 87 and 10 Months. 

She was raised and educated in Holyoke, Colorado. She was baptized in the First Christian Church.

Nancy married Walter John Bradford on September 25, 1955. To this union 2 sons were born,  Bradley  and Barry.

Nancy was an active and avid gardener.  She grew flowers for the eye and nose, but she was more famous for the vegetables she employed to feed family and friends.  Coyotes and moles met swift justice.  Her loved one did not.

Nancy’s carrot cake, rhubarb pie, and more practical staples like noon-time mashed potatoes were renowned.  All were welcome at her table, family and neighbors first.  Those who knew her best can pat their stomachs and remember.

Nancy liked to travel and enjoyed talking about her time in Hawaii and frequent visits to friends in more local areas.

She enjoyed dancing and with her Husband Walt, she often went to the Elks and similar celebrations, shimming to Elvis and his peers.

While serious in general, she still perked at the suggestion of a margarita in her final days.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, daughter in law, Londa Bradford, first born sister, Katherine Darlene, 5 brothers, Stanton Smith and wife Dorothy, Sidney Smith, Wendell Smith and wife Ramona, Gerald Smith and wife Carolyn, Robert Smith, 2 sisters, Lois Lakey and husband Bobbie, Elizabeth Myer and husband Gerald, Half-sister, Audrey Smith Aasgaard.

She is survived by her husband Walter of Wray, sons, Bradley and Barry of Wray, sister, Patricia Warren and husband Leonard of Holyoke, sister in laws, Bonnie Smith of Holyoke, Sharon Smith of Sterling, Co., Peggy Bradford of Aurora, Co. Niece and caretaker, Helen Miller of Amherst, Co.  Grandchildren, Aaron and Pame Bradford of Ft. Collins, Dominique Bradford of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Ariel and Chris Welch of Castle Rock, Co.  Great grandsons, Thor and Ares Bradford of Ft. Collins. Great granddaughter, Madeleine Welch of Castle Rock, Co.  and Great Great Nephew, Emmit Starks of Brule, Nebraska along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Services held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. at the First Christian Church of Holyoke with Mike Brown  officiating .  Interment followed at Holyoke Memorial Park.

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