Irena M. Bradley's Obituary
Irena (Ina) Marie Bradley Obituary
(Taken from her own draft and edited by her sons)
On January 23rd, 2017 Irena Marie Bradley was found to have passed away. Known as Ina (E-na) to her stateside friends, Irena was born in Berlin, Germany to Doctor Maximilian Kryn and wife Elika. Her family lived and survived through the bombings and destruction of downtown Berlin during World War II in the section of town that later became the Russian sector.
With the rise of Hitler, Doctor Kryn sensed trouble coming and sent his amassed wealth in the form of antiques, original paintings and jewelry to his relatives outside of Berlin in eastern Germany. Both of Irena’s parents were imprisoned the Nazi’s for being members of the Polish underground and helping their Jewish friends. After the war, the eastern part of Germany was annexed by Poland, fell under Communist rule, and the family treasures were never recouped.
With their wealth gone, Irena went to Communist Elementary School before attending the Franciscus Lyceum in the American sector of the city. Dr. Kryn and his (new) wife, rather than joining the Communist Party, left everything behind and escaped to the American sector. Getting licensed in the West took many years, before restarting their medical practices. The family endured such great financial hardship, that Irena’s (now) stepmother took her half-sister and went back to live with her parents. Irena was left to be raised by nuns.
In the early sixties, Irena married Mark Piette, a US servicemen. They had two sons and returned to the States, settling in California. Five years later, she earned her US citizenship, something she treasured so much that piece of paper was still in her safe deposit box. Herself, a gifted pianist, she worked as a piano teacher, while raising her two boys, and enjoyed her time walking the runways as a high fashion model in Los Angeles.
After a divorce after seven years, stable income meant long hours in retail management to support herself and two boys. In the mid-70’s, she married Wilbur Bradley in Escondido, and together they raised her sons until High School graduation.
By 1980, Ina earned a BA in Social Work and, later, a MA in Public Administration and Human Services Management. During this time Ina also ran the North San Diego chapter of NOW, and was named Woman of the Year. For the next decades, Irena worked for non-profit agencies helping drug addicts and alcoholics, the mentally challenged, homeless, and abused women and children.
After her retirement, Irena took in foreign exchange students, volunteered at the California Center for the Arts for the two decades and was an active gym member. Ever interested in European and local politics, she also had a life-long love of classical music, books, antiques, animals and the ocean. Most of all, she loved her two sons and grandchildren.
Irena is survived by her sons, Norman Piette of Escondido, wife Sharon, and their children - Austin and Alyssa. As well as, Raoul Piette and wife Barbara of Yorba Linda, with their children - Reed, Ryan, and Corrina. Irena also has a half-brother Hans-Peter who resides in Germany with his wife, Hannalore and daughters, Andrea and Nicole.
Her genuine laughter and constant help to others is truly missed.
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