JoAnn Pearl Brady November 20, 1924 – May 28, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| View Guestbook Entries| Memorial Donation JoAnn “Jo” Pearl Brady, aged 94 years, of Charlottesville, VA, died peacefully on May 28, 2019 at the University of Virginia Medical Center with her family at her side. JoAnn was born on November 20, 1924 in Port Republic, VA, the daughter of Joseph Cameron and Anne C. Pearl. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 58 years William J. Brady Sr., and her sister Doris P. Alexander.
JoAnn was born in her family home, built by her grandfather William M. Groah, on Back St (now Water St) in Port Republic, VA. She attended Port Republic School, graduating in 1942. She then attended the National Business College in Roanoke, VA, graduating with an associate’s degree in 1944.
Following graduation, she embarked on a big adventure and moved to Washington, DC where she shared an apartment in the Dupont Circle area with a childhood friend. JoAnn worked at the Washington Times-Herald newspaper for 10 years, initially as a copy “boy” and reporter for the Women’s page, focusing on food and fashion topics; ultimately, she was promoted to the Radio-TV editor position. She met her future husband, William Brady, a reporter on the “police beat,” while working at the Times-Herald.
When the Times-Herald was purchased by the Washington Post in 1954, JoAnn left journalism and pursued her second career in public relations at the Uline Sports Arena in Washington, DC. JoAnn married William Brady in 1949 at Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church in Washington, DC with a honeymoon in New York City. She then focused on her self-described most important tasks as a mother, wife, and homemaker in the 1960s and 1970s; she raised her two sons in a beautiful home on Ivydale Drive in Annandale, VA.
She was a devoted mother and wife who was always there for her family. She was active in the community, working in various roles in the Sleepy Hollow Woods Civic Association (editor of the newsletter and community phonebook), Annandale Little League (concessions manager), and JEB Stuart High School Boosters. She was an avid and skilled gardener who created many beautiful landscapes at her home on Ivydale Drive.
In 1978, JoAnn went back to work at the Annandale Lamp and Shade store as an assistant manager. When her husband retired from the Washington Post in 1985, JoAnn retired once again…and together they moved to Charlottesville, VA in 1997. With the death of her husband in 2006, she lived at first with her son Michael and his family in San Diego, CA and Annandale, VA; she then lived with her son William and his family in Charlottesville, VA.
From her very beginnings, JoAnn was a strong spirited, independent woman with a heart of gold. She was devoted to her family and cherished her role as mother and grandmother…roles at which she excelled. JoAnn is survived by her 2 sons, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild, including Dr. William J. and King Brady, and their children Lauren, Anne, Chip, and Katherine Brady of Charlottesville, VA; CDR (USCG Ret) Michael C. and Carrie Brady, and their children Jami, Megan, Aidan, Alex, and Dylan Brady of Annandale, VA; great granddaughter Summer Craggs, of Annandale, VA; and special niece Cindy Toney of Stephens City, VA, along with many other loved and caring relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and other staff at the University of Virginia Medical Center for the amazing and compassionate care provided to JoAnn. In particular, we appreciate the expertise, attention, and support provided by the nursing staff and doctors in the emergency department, coronary care unit, and 4 Central. A celebration of JoAnn’s life will be held at the Port Republic Methodist Church (8525 Water St, Port Republic, VA 24471) on Saturday, June 1 at 10 am, followed by a graveside service at the Port Republic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA (3355 Berkmar Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22901).
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