Lena E Bradford's Obituary
Lena E. Bradford passed away on November 22, 2014. She was born on August 28, 1930 to Anna & Michael Berilla in Enumclaw, Washington. Lena attended school in Enumclaw, Washington. After graduating, she was employed by the State of Washington in the Buckley area.
On January 3, 1958, she was married to Ralph W. “Brad” Bradford. To the delight of her husband and her new maritime loving family, Lena overcame her fear of the water and learned how to swim. Lena continued to work during her marriage until she elected to take an early retirement.
Lena and Brad’s boats increased in size over the years while they were active in the Viking Yacht Club in Tacoma, Washington. In 1972 they purchased and lovingly restored the 58 foot “Mitlite” (launched in 1933 as the first Thea Foss and built by the Foss Tug Co.).
In 1973 they moved aboard and eventually moored on the Foss Waterway in front of the old train station in Tacoma, Washington. They lived aboard until the early 1990’s when due to health issues they moved ashore to their home in the Wauna area.
A picture of Lena and her husband painting the “Mitlite” can be viewed as well as additional information can be read if you sign on to the Classic Yachts Associations website. To access more pictures and information, please click on the “Mitlite attachments”.
Lena was preceded in death by both of her parents, Anna and Michael Berilla, her Husband, Ralph W. “Brad” Bradford, her sister, Theresa Berilla, and her sister-in-law, Ruth Berilla.
Surviving family members include Brother, William “Bill” Berilla, of Renton, Washington, Sister, Mary Berilla, of Enumclaw, Washington, and Brother Michael “Mike” (Carleen) Berilla , also of Enumclaw. Washington, Step-daughters, Linda L. (Bradford) Green, of South Bend, Washington and Judi (Robert) (Bradford) Donovan, of Auburn, Washington.
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