Maryleen Bradford Obituary (1938 - 2015)

WATERVILLE - Maryleen Anna (Bean) Bradford, 77, died on Dec. 22, surrounded by her loving family as she entered the kingdom of God. She bravely fought her battle with lung cancer until her last breath and never smoked a day in her life! Maryleen was born on Nov. 6, 1938, in Waterville and graduated from Waterville High School. She was a proud member of the class of 1956 who still gathers once a month at Big G's. Maryleen went on to graduate from the IBM school. In 1962, she married the love of her life, Ronald Bradford. They lived in Japan and Washington, D.C., area for a short time, but settled in Waterville for the remainder of their lives. While raising three children, she started off her career, working as a home interior consultant. We have many photos from the 70s with her wearing stylish mink purses that she had won from her company for assembling the best vignettes. Maryleen then became an activity director at the Colonial Nursing Home which changed many people's lives. She could coordinate the best entertainment for the seniors and hold their hands when they passed. She was able to secure over 200 volunteers with her outgoing personality and convince everyone that it was always a party at the nursing home you didn't want to miss. After many years, she then opened her own business, Mainely Daytrips, her true passion. She was an avid driver who wasn't scared to drive anywhere in the U.S. Whether she drove people to a show at Foxwoods or was taking a group of Colby students to the airport, she drove them safely to their destination. Maryleen was a natural, who often liked to entertain people with her knowledge of some beautiful locations in Maine. Her favorite, of course, was Old Orchard Beach. The family spent many weekends there waiting for Mr. Bradford to skydive down to the beach. When she retired, she lovingly spent time with all of her family and friends traveling all over and never forgetting to tell everyone to make sure they took a certain road because it was so beautiful. Maryleen was a kind, compassionate and most giving person. A woman of faith who truly felt blessed by God. Never afraid to sing his praises or tell you that you should too. The Bradford family were regular parishioners of the Sacred Heart Church in Waterviile where Maryleen was also a member of the folk group. Maryleen treasured her family and friends. She was known as Beanie to most and she had a distinct "Errr-ah" stutter. It was a source of comedy at times. Maryleen loved life and her favorite way to describe everything was "wonderful." We will be stricken if we failed to mention that she was an avid fan of the New England Patriots! If she wasn't home, she was shopping with her sisters. Gifford's will greatly miss her patronage of their grape nut ice cream. She was a devoted wife to Ron. She loved to chase a sunrise and go have a "fresh, fresh, hot, senior decaf coffee" at McDonald's where she and Ron enjoyed the company of their regular friends. They spent many years living their winters in Florida and their summers in Maine. Celebration, Fla. was her second favorite place. Maryleen was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Della Beane; and her husband, Ronald Bradford. Her surviving family include her daughter, Beth and her husband, Keat Fong from Brewster, N.Y., and their three children, Kristin, Nathan, and Ryan, her son, Christopher Bradford and his wife, Angie, and his daughter, Julianne Bradford, all from Kississimee, Fla., her son, Erik Bradford and his wife, Wendy from Waterville, Erik's daughter, Alexis Bradford, from Oakland and Wendy's son, Jason Knight. Maryleen has three surviving sisters, Shirley Ladd from Waterville, Joyce Graf from Brunswick, and Dana Jacques also from Waterville, who were the most loving and devoted sisters and will miss Maryleen terribly. She is also survived by her husband's sister, Judy Black from Papiilion, Neb. and brother in-law, William Bradford from California; and the many nieces and nephews who lovingly called her Auntie Mean; and her cousins who were also like sisters, Norma, Gloria, Charlene, Carol and Connie. Maryleen will be sadly missed by many people in the community who's lives she's touched. One less person on earth, one more angel in Heaven. Following cremation, the family will hold a memorial service at the Gallant Funeral Home on Saturday, Jan. 2.