Cara Lynn Bradbury

Cara Lynn Bradbury entered peacefully into rest September 1, 2020 in Danville, California.  Born to Floyd and Emma Bradbury on August 16, 1938 in Oakland, California.

Cara is survived by her best friend and ex-husband, James Marcus.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Emma Bradbury, her step-mother, Ruby Bradbury and her brother, Theodore Bradbury.

Cara earned her BA in Music Composition at Mills College and studied with Darius Milhaud and Leon Kirchner.  She went on to teach, perform and direct at CalArts, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Mills College, the Bella Lewitzky Dance Company and the Contra Costa Chorale.  She was a brilliant musician.  Her roles included accompanist, composer/arranger, instructor, Music Director and choreographer.  In her later years she served as lead accompanist for various churches in the Oakland Diocese with her sunset performance in November, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fremont, California.

Private services to be held.  Donations in lieu of flowers to St. Joseph Catholic Church Music Department.

Good afternoon, Musicians, Thespians and Friends of Cara,

It is with sadness we share the news that our beautiful and talented accompanist/friend/fellow musician, Cara Bradbury, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.  Cara was 82 years old.  As most of you know, she suffered a terrible fall on December 1, 2017.  Her tenacity and strong will to survive allowed her to live long past her accident.  In her own words, “I’m not ready to die yet.  I have so many things to do.”

As time went on and Cara struggled to hold on to the active and energetic person she always was and as her body and mind fought very hard to recover, she eventually yielded to the call for her to come Home.  Cara’s lovely spirit and beautiful smile were ever-present.  Her long and short term memory were very good for the most part.  She remembered the important things.  Part of the important things were always ALL OF YOU.  She spoke fondly and lovingly of everyone and constantly recalled so many memories and situations she longed to experience once again.

We believe she lived this long because she always had something to look forward to…reuniting with her friends, students and fellow musicians to do the things that were most important to her in her life.  Music…playing, singing, composing, teaching, collaborating.  Her dream was to return to St. Joseph and be an active part of our music department once again.  Though her dream did not come true on earth, she is definitely in Heaven making that dream a reality.

One of her very best days was two weeks ago on her 82^nd birthday.  So many of you sent your birthday greetings, well wishes and prayers to Cara.  She heard, read, was read to, and listened to every single one of them over and over.  She loved all of you very much and was grateful and appreciative of all the opportunities afforded her at St. Joseph Church and the many other churches, universities, colleges, theaters, stages and musical platforms she graced over the past 75+ years.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, we are unable to celebrate her life in the usual way.  Her services will be private, but we hope to offer a future Memorial Mass celebration for her and so many others who lost their lives this year during the pandemic.  Thank you all for your support and friendship to Cara.  She loved each and every one of you.  You each held a special place in her heart.

May she rest in peace.  God bless you, Cara.