Elizabeth "Betty" Joan Bradley

Betty Bradley was born October 22, 1929 in Claflin, KS. She died on February 5, 2018. She is preceded in death by her parents, Evelyn Starr and Joseph B. Bloomer. Betty lived in Springfield, MA and Buffalo, NY until the first grade. She then attended Immaculate Conception Grade School, Claflin High School and Kansas University where she majored in Architecture and Business. She was elected Secretary of her freshman class and Treasurer of her senior class. She was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. It was at the University of Kansas where she met Richard (Dick) Cranston Bradley to whom she was married for forty-four years until his death in 1994. She leaves behind: Richard C. Bradley II, Forrest C. Bradley, life partner Susan Stotts, his son Forrest Steven Bradley, wife Melanie, Joanne (Jody) G. Bradley, husband Burt McAnally, their children Burt T. McAnally IV, William C. McAnally, wife Lily, Sarah E. McAnally, wife Lauren, Joseph A. McAnally and a beautiful great granddaughter Eleanor Ruth McAnally, Margaret Ruth Bradley-Foley, husband James Foley, and his children Jillian Foley and Patrick Foley. In high school, she learned to fly from the Army Air Force pilots at the nearby base in Great Bend, KS and became a pilot at the age of 16. As a child she would spend her summers first in South Fork, CO and eventually on Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada. She would go on to spend forty-eight glorious summers with her family there. She showed her children how to love and enjoy nature. She also taught them to water ski, fish, pick blueberries, handle a canoe, remove leeches and entertain. After living in Great Bend and Wichita, KS with Dick and her two boys she moved to Oklahoma City in 1956. She was very active in the community. She was a volunteer at Crippled Children's Hospital (now Children's Hospital), served as board Chairman of the St. Joseph's Home, co-chair of Residential Division of United Way, board member of both Catholic Charities and Rosary Catholic School; a Eucharistic Minister, Oklahoma City Chapter President of the University of Kansas Alum, PEO member, a PTSA member of Bishop McGuinness High School. She coached volleyball at Rosary grade school. As Betty said, "With the exception of my headstrong children, I could coach the other kids all day long." She was also a den mother, ham radio operator, licensed realtor, avid art collector, senior life guard, golf and tennis player. She and Dick loved to travel, playing different golf courses with friends. As an avid reader she enjoyed her many book clubs, the Pops and garden clubs. Dick's parents Everett and Margaret Bradley, bought the Dakota Wall Ranch in Cuchara, CO in 1953. Dick died in 1994 and the ranch was sold in 1997. After the sale of the ranch, Betty bought another property in Cuchara at the top of Pine Haven where she built beautiful memories for her family. In 1997, she married MG Edward James Huycke, USA (Ret.) whom she had dated in college. They had the pleasure of spending 20 beautiful years together. After marrying Ed, a retired Army physician, they spent five months of every year in their home-away-from-home in Cuchara. She was active in the valley for many years entertaining and socializing. She also leaves behind Ed's six children, 13 grandchildren and a great grandson. Very special thanks go out to the angels that took such amazing care of our mother: Karen Murrel, Ludean Hytche, Kiontenette Kiranika and Mercy Hospice nurse Bobbi Nubine. We could have never done this without your kind and beautiful souls. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her name to Mercy Hospice or to the charity of your choice.