Jean R. Bready

JEAN R. BREADY –

A LEGACY OF HELPING OTHERS

April 25, 1932 – July 23, 2023

Jean L. (Ritter) Bready, 91, formerly of Spring Township, peacefully passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023. She was the beloved wife, of the late Conrad R. Bready, who passed in 2001. Jean (Jeannie) was born in Reading, the daughter of the late H. Allan and Hilda L. (Campbell) Ritter.

From her days at Reading High School, where she was a varsity basketball player and graduated as Valedictorian, Jean Bready always exhibited a personal commitment to excellence in every phase of her life.  She graduated from Reading Hospital Nursing School as a Registered Nurse and proudly amassed an impressive twenty-year medical career with the Reading Hospital.  Her many positions included charge nurse, emergency room senior nurse and nursing supervisor.

In 1972, Jean was recruited away from the Reading Hospital by Dr. James E. Fulton, Jr., M.D., who was a leading-edge researcher and pioneer in the development of acne medicines, including tretinoin, known by the brand name as Retin-A.

In 2000, Jean, Conrad and her daughter, Kathy, purchased the Villa St. Elizabeth Personal Care Home on Museum Road in close proximity to the Reading Hospital.  As proprietor and administrator of the Villa, Jean continued to labor for better care for the elderly.   

On Jean’s 80^th birthday, April 25, 2012, the Mayor of the City of Reading, Vaughan D. Spencer and the City Council recognized Jean’s life of helping her community by officially designating the day to honor Reading’s “Champion of the Elderly” JEAN R. BREADY.  The Villa stands proudly as Jean’s legacy encompassing all the excellence, creativity, initiative, and perseverance of a hometown girl, who played a mean game of basketball.

She is survived by her daughter Kathy A. Tufts wife of Paul V. Tufts. She will be deeply missed by her three grandchildren, H. Ryan Tufts husband of Anna Dentali, Kaitlin Tufts, Kristin Tufts and her great grandchildren, Taylor R. Tufts and Brayden W. Kemp.

The services honoring Jean’s life will be held at Bean Funeral Home 3825 Penn Avenue Sinking Spring on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 11:30 AM. The Family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. In Lieu of flowers a contribution can be made to The Villa St. Elizabeth Senior Living Community – Elderly Relief Fund, 1201 Museum Road, Reading, PA 19611

Online condolences may be shared at www.beanfuneralhomes.com