This past Saturday on March 21st, my Mom Mary Helen Rolfes Brady, joined my favorite Grandmother (Helen Rolfes) and Grandfather (William Rolfes) in Heaven. She battled the last 2 years with the beginning stages of dementia and was just recently diagnosed with a malignant tumor on her brain. She was a pretty amazing woman. She was a retired 32± year residential real estate agent in Los Angeles (Hancock Park) and Rancho Mirage, where she has resided for the last 30 years.
For nearly 25 years, she was a major fundraising volunteer for many organizations including the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic, Stanford Women’s Guild, and served on the Board of Directors with the Hollygrove-Los Angeles Orphans Home, Inc. She was recognized as a lifelong member of St. Vincent Medical Center. She was also involved in Palm Desert with fundraising efforts for the McCallum Theatre of Fine Arts. She donated her time raising millions of dollars for many nonprofit groups. Two (2) of her major continual donors she worked with was Walter O’Malley, the original owner of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, and Joe Coulombe, Founder of Trader Joe’s. A widely regarded musician and music educator, she has provided private piano lessons since 1955. She also taught Tina Turner how to play a piano!
As the oldest of five (5) boys my mom taught me right from wrong, to stand firm and be honest (even if it was not popular). She taught me how to give generously and volunteer my time in the community. She was strong willed and a great mom. While I did not have the opportunity to formally say goodbye, my brothers and I all know we will reunite with her again.
I wish everyone was as lucky as my brothers and I, to have a mom that was tough but caring. She was proud of her sons and grandchildren. She was proud of our Country, and the freedoms provided to us. Mom trust me when I tell you Deb and I will see you again. Guaranteed!
She is survived by her five (5) sons Joseph W., Mark D., Douglas S., John R., Todd C., ten (10) Grandchildren and one older sister who lives in Gilbert, AZ.
Services will be held in Rancho Mirage, when the Corona Virus (COVID-19) has abandoned their restrictions and her final resting place will be in Lafayette, California, joining both her mom and dad.
Mom and Joe 2018
Mom 2019
Mom around 1952
Mom and (her mom) Grandma at our wedding Oct. 5, 1996
