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- Rapid City Journal
May 31, 2015
RAPID CITY | Nancy A. Brady, 86, joyfully entered eternal life on April 21, 2015, in Kingwood, TX, in the presence and spirit of her children.
Born in Bonesteel, SD, she married the love of her life, William F. Brady of Custer, SD, in November 1950 in San Antonio, TX, as he left to serve as an Air Force Staff Sargent in the Korean War. After his discharge they moved to Vermillion, SD, to complete his law degree at USD. With their first two children in tow, the couple returned to Rapid City to begin his career in law.
Blessed with five children, Nancy and Bill were deeply involved in the community, including Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Cathedral, Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club, and many local charities. Tragedy struck in 1967, when Bill was killed in a courtroom shooting in Rapid City. Nancy was left to raise five children by herself, ages 15 to three. Fiercely independent, determined yet fun-loving, she taught her children by example to be optimistic, independent, to have faith in God and to give back to the community in which they live. Juggling her children’s sports, Boy Scouts, ballet, debate, cheerleading and choir activities, she seemingly never missed a game or performance. Her children will say that everything they are today, including their faith, is owed to their remarkable mom.
Nancy Brady truly believed in community service. Even as she worked at her family-owned campground and later as a hotel sales manager, for over a decade she volunteered as church coordinator for weddings and receptions at the Cathedral. She loved animals and led the Pennington County Humane Society. Many mornings her children would stumble over a box of kittens or puppies left on the front porch. Neighbors knew she’d find them a good home.
Nancy was a leader in tourism for more than 30 years, leading the Rapid City Hospitality Association and serving in the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau. She was the first woman elected to the Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes Association board and in 2004 they honored her lifelong achievements by naming her a Pioneer of Tourism.
She served for many years as a director and president of the Sky Ranch for Boys Foundation — a program for troubled teens across the nation. In 2010, she was named to the Sky Ranch Hall of Fame.
She was an avid fly fisherman, and enjoyed inner tubing, picnics and get-togethers at the family log cabin in Dark Canyon along Rapid Creek.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Elma Donnelly; her husband, William; her sister, Joan Lampert; and her brothers, Charles and Jack Donnelly. She is survived by her children, Stuart (Teresa) Brady of Pecan Grove, TX, Kevin (Cathy) Brady of The Woodlands, TX, Barbara (Rick) Gienapp of Iowa City, IA, Carole Brady of Kingwood, TX, and Army CSM Matthew (Christina) Brady of Fort Belvoir, VA; her grandchildren, Cory (Sarah) Marchand, Casey Marchand, Kyle Brady, Matthew Brady, Sam Gienapp, Caitlin Brady, Will Brady, Claire Gienapp and Sean Brady; great-grandchildren, Ava and Ella Marchand; and nephews and nieces.
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1929 - 2015 (86 years)
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