Shirley Bradley

Shirley Kay Bradley "Mema" died peacefully at age 88 on Wednesday, September 11th after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Estel and Edith Newport, brother Bruce Newport, sister Barbara Newport, and husband Brad. She is survived by her children Tammy, Jimmy (Penny), Joey (Tami), Mikey, Stevie (Carole), Robbie, 17 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Born and raised in Santa Paula on South Mountain, Mema attended Santa Paula High School. At 21, she married William Bradley "Brad", and started their prolific family. Six children kept her very busy, and when she became a grandmother at age 47, her life became that much fuller. Her greatest joys were spending time with her family, watching her husband play music every weekend, being the "room mom" in all her kids' classrooms, attending baseball and football games, going to motorcycle races, cheerleading competitions, and more family events than seem possible, though she kept track of every single birthday, anniversary, and every other important date with loving attention.

Mema worked at her family-owned restaurant, Doc & Sandy's, for many years, and was instrumental in their success, bringing happiness and positivity to all patrons, even long after she retired. She was a long-time member of the American Legion, where she made sure all her granddaughters became members as well.

Mema loved to travel, and visited family all over the United States, including Oregon, Delaware, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and a whole cross-country trip that produced incredible memories. Mema loved playing cards, bingo, reading, going to the casino (only when she would win-not so much when she lost!), going out to eat, and puzzles and games of all kinds. Mema was known for being an amazing cook, especially her legendary breakfasts on Christmas and Easter. Mema was a very cheerful and joyous person, making everyone around her feel welcome and loved for exactly who they were. We will miss her smile, her sense of humor, her patience, and her unconditional love.

Services for Shirley Kay Bradley will be held Thursday, September 26th, at 10 am at Perez Family Funeral Home in Santa Paula, with a graveside service at Santa Clara Cemetery and reception at Elks Lodge in Ventura to immediately follow. All are welcome.