Ruth Dorothy Napieralski Nelson Bradley, age 92, of Swannanoa, NC, passed away peacefully, on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Givens Highland Farms, in Black Mountain. Mrs. Bradley was born on February 24, 1928, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, to the late Stephen Napieralski and Anna Gierazynski Napieralski. Ruth was a lifelong resident of South Bend/Mishawaka, IN and attended Central High School. In 2017 she moved to the Asheville, NC area with her daughter. She worked as a Medical Assistant at South Bend Osteopathic hospital and at physician’s offices. Ruth was known for her incredible wit and humor. She enjoyed being around people, loved music and dancing. She also loved reading, word search puzzles, working in her yard, playing bingo and going to the casino. Ruth was always full of life and laughter. She will be deeply missed by all.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Ivan Nelson and Eugene Bradley; two sisters, Clara Hernicz and Frances Verspelt; and two brothers, Louis and Stephen Napier. Those left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter, Paula Nelson of Swannanoa, NC; two step-daughters, Lynne Bradley of Mishawaka, IN and Brenda Hlavacek of Tierra Verde, FL; a granddaughter, Tami Barry of Asheville; a grandson, Scott Breske and wife Heather, of Fishers, IN; three great-granddaughters, Jesse Barry of Asheville, NC, and Ava and Caroline Breske, both of Fishers, IN; and two great-grandsons, Jade Napier of Asheville, NC and Cade Breske of Fishers, IN.
A private celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at the home of her daughter with Reverend John Brewster officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to the Givens Highland Farms Resident Assistance Ministry c/o Renee Lock, 200 Tabernacle Rd., Black Mountain, NC, 28711 , or www.givenscommunities.org/give-online and choose “Ruth Bradley Memorials” under Gift Designation.
Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Bradley.
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