| Graduation Year | Class of 1968 |
| Date of Birth | Sep 07, 1948 |
| Date of Passing | Feb 10, 2024 |
| About | Maria Teresa Bradford of Spokane, Washington, passed away on February 10, 2024. Maria was born in San Diego, California, on September 7, 1948. She was the oldest of three children, growing up in Yakima, Washington. Maria "Missy" was a woman of great strength and bravery, overcoming so many challenges from birth forward. She was a survivor, born very early at 7 months weighing only 2 lbs 1 ounce (she fit in a shoe box). Unknown at that time was that oxygen given could affect the optic nerve, which resulted in her blindness and cerebral palsy. Our Mom was told she would never be able to functional fully or ever walk on her own and that started the fight to succeed. She went through physical therapy to work the muscles up and was walking on her own by 4 years old. Her next big adventure was education. At the age of 5, Maria began attending the Washington State School for the Blind in Vancouver, Washington, where she learned to read braille and mastered the lifestyle training curriculum. She was able to come home once a month and for the summers. Starting at age 7 and continuing until 10, she endured operations on her legs in Seattle. She spent 3 summers in a full body cast to improve her walking capabilities. Washington State finally approved non-sighted students to attend public school in Yakima and she was able to live fully at home and attend Eisenhower High School. She graduated in 1968 with honors. After graduation, she went to Mexico on a student exchange program, staying with a family in Mexico City for 9 weeks. She moved on to attend Central Washington State College, finishing in 1971, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Teaching Certification, specializing in Special Education and Bilingual Spanish/English language for K – 12. In 1971, she was hired as a Resource Specialist, supporting Special Education and Translating for the bilingual children in Warden, Washington, and then in the Issaquah School District. She returned to school, enrolling at Eastern Washington University for her Master of Education degree in 1982. Missy remained in the Spokane area visiting family on holidays and vacations in Yakima. Her life in Spokane was full. She lived independently in her apartment. She was involved with many groups and attended social activities all the time. She was an avid reader and music lover. Maria worked for the Lilac Foundation for the Blind from 1975 – 1977, teaching braille and independent living skills to newly blind adults and children. She worked for 9 years (2008 – 2017) at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Spokane. She was involved and mentored by the Spokane Lions Club. They assisted her in setting up her computer equipment. Maria was President of the National Federation of the Blind chapter in Spokane. Every 4th of July week, she attended conventions for the Federation of the Blind that were held in large cities all over the United States. Amazingly, she never had a fear of traveling on her own. These conventions extended her community of friends and kept her up on what was happening in the blind community. She would also attend meetings in the Seattle area for discussions improving the needs of the blind. She served on the Governors Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. During the last several years of her exceptional life, Maria lived in an assisted care facility, enjoying the activities and still got out and about until the last 5 years when her mobility became more difficult. Maria was amazing in what she achieved in her life overcoming so many things, her independence, love of life and the never EVER giving up when every day could bring a challenge. When she went through cancer treatment, it was her positive attitude that kept her spirits up and gave her the determination to beat it down. She was preceded in death by our mother and father, Paulajeanne (PJ) and William (Bill) Bradford. She is survived by her brother, Cress (Linda); sister, Jo (Michael); and three nephews, William, Andrew and Colter (Samantha). Our family greatly appreciates her personal caregiver, Carla Layton, who was a loving friend to Maria. All the nurses and support staff at Avalon Care Center in Spokane were beyond wonderful and supportive in their caregiving. |
