Catherine Bradley-Portland

Catherine M. Bradley-Portland (née Oswald) passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 20. Born on March 2, 1926, she was the second of John and Isabelle Oswald’s five children. As she was raised during the Great Depression and came of age on the brink of World War II, Catherine truly embodied the resilience, independence and determination of the Greatest Generation. In May, 1944, she married William J. Bradley and together they raised six children in Havertown, PA. As a busy young mother, Catherine was also a strong business partner to her husband, managing books and accounts for Bradley Electric throughout their marriage. She was later employed by Suburban Cable and QVC, where she made many friends and demonstrated her unparalleled work ethic.

A woman of tremendous faith, Catherine was an active parishioner at Annunciation BVM (Havertown) and later St. Laurence (Upper Darby), Sts. Simon & Jude (West Chester) and Sacred Heart (Manoa). Following her official retirement, she enjoyed many happy years volunteering in the office at Sacred Heart School where she managed attendance and served as honorary Grandmother to hundreds of students.

Catherine was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill, her cherished daughter Frances Bradley and her siblings Ethel Johnson, Jack Oswald and Richard Oswald. She was also predeceased by her second husband, Thomas Portland.  She is survived by her children Catherine Woestman and her husband Tim, Bill Bradley and his wife Connie, John Bradley and his wife Trudy, Isabelle Burk and her husband James and Mary Cassidy and her husband Bill. She will be dearly missed by her 13 grandchildren: Melissa Westman-Cherry (Dane), Kate Morris (Greg), Sharon Bradley, Julie Diehl, Jamie Bradley, John Michael Bradley, Matthew Bradley (Crystal), Shannon Klinger (Arlen), Meghan Burk (Greg), Michael Bradley (Yolanda), Caitlin Kisielewski (Brian), Bill Cassidy (Catherine) and Ryan Cassidy as well as 17 great-grandchildren, her brother George Oswald, countless friends, relatives, fellow parishioners and her longtime caretaker, Karen Cottman-Mansfield.

Due to current circumstances, funeral arrangements and interment will be private. The family looks forward to celebrating Catherine’s life with a Mass at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sacred Heart Parish, 109 N. Manoa Road, Havertown, PA 19083.