Mary T. Bradish, 100, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Story County Senior Care in Nevada, Iowa.

Mary, the daughter of Frank and Marion (Smith) Biecker, was born in Ottawa, Illinois on July 16, 1926.

Mary married Albert Bradish in 1950 and moved to Granville, Illinois. The couple had two children, Barbara in 1951 and Alan in 1954.

Mary graduated from Ryburn Memorial Hospital in 1947, where she worked as an obstetrical nurse for one year, then transferred to Marquette University School of Nursing in 1948 to further her education in all aspects of obstetrical nursing, graduating in 1949. She accepted a position as an OB Supervisor at Rockford Memorial Hospital. After working in the OB department of St. Margarets for 25 years, she decided to reeducate to become a nurse midwife at Frontier Nursing in Kentucky. Following graduation, she was employed by the University of Kentucky, assisting in setting up a nurse midwifery clinic. In 1976, Albert and Mary returned to Illinois where she was employed by Dr. William Farley. Mary and Dr. Farley were the first nurse midwife and OB/GYN team outside of Chicago. Their partnership remained for 29 years.

Mary was an avid golfer. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, making forts, swimming, ice skating, hiking and picnics.

She is survived by her son, Alan (Cheryl) of Nevada, Iowa; her grandchildren, Lesley Floyd, Allison (Rob) Melching, Katie (Patrick), Di Pasquala, Alex Bradish and Nicole (Chester) Smith; her great-grandchildren, Kylie, Milo, Conor, Giorgina and a little baby girl due in October. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Barbara; her sisters, Frances Jobst and Marge Hess; her brother, George Biecker; her brother-in-law, Donald Jobst; and her mentor, friend and companion, Dr. William Farley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Services are pending. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Granville, Illinois.