Elsie Irene Brady's Obituary
Elsie Irene Griffin Brady passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on February 17, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was almost 102 years old! She lived a vibrant life of love, hard work, and service to her family, church, and community.
Irene was born on June 17, 1921 in Cassoday, Kansas, to Elmer Diller Griffin and Viola Mae Danby. She was the 2nd oldest of eleven children and grew up on a family farm outside Cassoday. She graduated from Cassoday High School and attended the Junior College in Eldorado, Kansas. She later became a beloved elementary school teacher in Kansas and Utah. For many years, Irene taught in a one room schoolhouse in West Jordan, and later, at Hartvigsen Elementary in Salt Lake City.
While teaching, she attended night school at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. She graduated from “Westminster” as she warmly called it, with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education, as well as a teaching certificate. Irene’s hard work was rewarded with an almost straight ‘A’ college report card.
Irene met her eternal companion, Robert Clyde Brady in 1943, while working at the Hart Brothers flight School in Wichita, Kansas. Robert was training to become an Air Force Pilot for WWII. Irene and Robert were married on August 12, 1944, in Fort Worth,Texas. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 23,1956. They had been married 62 years until Robert’s passing on March 10, 2007.
Robert and Irene were blessed with seven children (six living), Don (Sinikka) Brady, John Brady (deceased), Bill (Margo) Brady, Mike (Debbie) Brady, Ann (Jim) Barker, Patty (Dan) Jones, and Scott (Mary) Brady. They have thirty one grandchildren, 63 great grandchildren (with four more on the way), and two great-great-grandchildren.
Irene and Bob moved their family often, living in many US states, and in Germany for five years, while Bob served as a pilot with the USAF. Irene served as president of the Sembach Air Force Base Officers’ Wives Club from 1958-1959. In the summer of 1962, they moved for the last time back into their Cottonwood Heights home, which they built together in the 1950’s. Shortly thereafter, Bob retired from the Air Force as a LT Colonel.
Irene grew up during the Great Depression, and also lived through World War II, 9/11, and of course, our recent global pandemic. She was an optimistic, creative, frugal, faithful, reassuring, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She willingly and graciously served her community and church. She exhibited much stamina and strength, as she, and her son, climbed one third of Mount Olympus on her 85th birthday. She had intended to reach the top that day, but couldn’t quite make it all the way up.
Irene had many hobbies and skills, and could do almost anything she put her mind to, including: welding gas tanks for B-17’s during World War II, flying small planes, sewing clothing for herself and family, sewing home decor, writing children’s stories, gardening, making amazing homemade rolls and wedding cakes, canning produce and creating her famous chocolate fudge (which was sold for many years at Marie Calendar’s restaurants in Salt Lake City). Irene lived a remarkable life, and ran her race to the very end. She leaves a legacy of love that will transcend generations and bless us with enduring and precious memories.
Irene served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in many capacities, including Primary, the Young Women’s Organization and the ward RS Organization. In 1989 -1990, Irene and Bob served as a full time senior missionary couple in Mesa, Arizona.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Diller and Viola Mae Griffin, her sweetheart, Robert Clyde Brady, son (two day old) John Brady; brothers, Arnold Griffin, John Griffin, Edgar Otis Griffin, Louie Gene Griffin, Elmer Dean Griffin; sisters, Xrepha Wanda Flavin, Effie June Wakefield, Virginia Luella Callaway, Ella LuAnn Griffin, and Tiny Viola Baggett; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Jensen Brady, and granddaughter, Elizabeth Irene Barker.
A visitation will be held at the Cottonwood 8th ward building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Friday, March 3, 2023, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Address: 6301 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Funeral services will be held at the same building on Saturday, March 4th, 2023 at 11 AM. There will also be a short visitation on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. The burial will be directly following the funeral at the Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah.
Condolences may be shared on this same website. Condolences may be sent to the family at Premier funeral services.com.
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