Hildegarde “Hildy” Ellen Bradney (McGee, mdn.) of Belfast, Maine, passed quietly on December 16th, 2024, after a long and happy life that was sadly interrupted by Alzheimer’s disease.
Hildy was born in Bethlehem, PA, in February, 1940 to Eulalie and Charles McGee. Raised in a large, Irish -American, Catholic family, she was a member of St Anne ‘s church in Bethlehem. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1958, before receiving a Bachelor’s in Nursing from St Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1961. The class moto was “A thousand words does not leave so great an impression as one deed, ” and Hildy certainly adopted that credo throughout her lifelong career as a Registered Nurse. She worked as a nurse in the hospital and also provided in-home care, but it was her many years working as a school nurse in Northampton, PA, that really defined her career. Hildy was a fierce advocate for her students, oftentimes in difficult circumstances with challenging family dynamics.
It was after graduating nursing school that Hildy met her lifelong husband and partner, Jim. She worked at the hospital and he at Bethlehem Steel. They married in 1961 and remained married for 63 years until her passing.
Their family grew in 1963 when her son James was born. Parenting, working, making a home and life in the Lehigh Valley, while continuing her post-graduate education at Cedar Crest College, Moravian College and Temple University were all priorities for Hildy. Her character helped her achieve her goals. She was determined , disciplined and hard working.
By far, Hildy’s most favorite time was anytime spent with her two granddaughters, Daisy and Gemma. Nana adored the girls and they loved her very, very much. Girl’s days, complete with shop-till-you-drop trip s to the outlet stores, miniature golf and lunch out were a lot of fun when they were younger!
A power of example is a phrase that comes to mind when describing Hildy. She maintained a lifelong commitment to fitness, including tennis, golf, nutrition and of course her true passion, walking. Hildy enjoyed a long retirement spent in North Myrtle Beach, SC and Belfast,Maine. Many, many miles of beach sand passed below her feet as she loved walking in the sun spending time lost in thought and absorbed in nature next to the ocean.
We’ll always imagine hearing her talking to herself quietly as she went about her chores, fixing breakfast one more time, while living as an example of the importance of women’s education, independence, and care for self and others. We couldn’t have asked for a better wife, mother and grandmother and she’ll be missed every day.
Hildy was preceded in death by her parents as well as beloved older sister Madonna Miltenberger and older brother Charles “Skip” McGee. She is Survived by James Bradney, Jr., husband; James Bradney, III, son; Daisy Bradney and Gemma Bradney, granddaughters. She is also survived by brothers Terrence McGee, Lawrence McGee, and Shawn McGee. Throughout her life Hildy retained a special fondness and love for her nieces, Alana Dirocco and Lisa Moriarty as well as seven other nephews and nine nieces.
A small family memorial service will be held in the future.
Donations can be made in-memory of Hildy by clicking the button below.
