Dee Ann Bradford (nee Strimple) of Cincinnati, OH passed away on April 24, 2024 at the age of 84. She was the beloved wife of Jacque Bradford; devoted mother of Ken (Patti) Bradford, John (Susan) Bradford, and Jill (Mark) Dietz; loving grandmother of Jessi (Shane) Evans, Emily (David) Bradford, Danielle Dietz, and Jay Dietz; and adoring great-grandmother of Luke Evans.
Dee grew up in Willard, OH, the daughter of the late Kenneth Strimple and Leone Cole, formerly Strimple. She is survived by her younger brother Dean (Bonnie) Strimple. She was very close with her family, and enjoyed spending time with all of them.
Dee attended Willard High School. She married Jacque Bradford on March 11, 1956. They raised three children together in New Haven, Ohio before moving to St. Marys, Ohio where they spent the majority of their 68 wonderful years together. The Bradfords were part owners in the Pantry Pride grocery store chain, headquartered in St. Marys. Dee loved St. Marys and cherished the friendships she made there over the years.
Dee was active in Cub Scouts, serving as a den mother while her sons attended. She was incredibly creative - she made remarkable halloween and Cub Scout costumes, themed cakes, gorgeous interior design projects, and toys for her children and grandchildren. She was great at baking desserts - people thought she was a great cook, but she said she just concentrated on making great desserts because thats what everybody remembers. And she was always inventing things years before they came out, like furniture sliders and pre-lit Christmas trees.
She loved to entertain. The Bradfords hosted an annual Christmas Eve party for years. Christmas was Dees favorite time of year - she loved Jesus and was always active in church, and she adored showering her loved ones with affection on Christmas. She also adored her home in St. Marys, where the Bradfords would host winter parties around the barn and pond, family reunions, and any reason to celebrate an event in loved ones lives. She always maintained their home and property beautifully, and she always had red geraniums planted. Her home always smelled like her.
Dee also loved the beach. Jacque and Dee had a condo in Ft. Myers, Florida where family would regularly come to visit. Dee loved shopping with family and friends. She had a tremendous sense of style. And she loved to dance.
Dee Bradford leaves behind a legacy of love and generosity. Her family and friends already miss her deeply. Leave the light on for us.
Family and friends are invited to say goodbye on Thursday, May 9 at a visitation starting at 11 AM, with a service following at 12 PM, at T.P. White & Sons Funeral Home located at 2050 Beechmont Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio 45230. Dee will be laid to rest in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Cincinnati.
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