(This is excerpted from the writings of Rosetta Elizabeth Brady in 1945)
Maria grew up with the family in Sadowa, Canada, secured a fair education, learned the usual handicrafts as taught in the family. She was earning her own living in Cambria when she became acquainted with James Currie Brady. Her father did not approve the marriage so Maria Kett and James Currie Brady were married the next Halloween at her sister Mary Ann's in Toronto with Sister Sarah as bridesmaid. Maria was estranged from her father and received no "setting up in housekeeping" as the other daughters did. The Brady family went their own way never asking favors of the Ketts. But James with his three years as an apprentice carpenter had his own asset for living.
Maria was mother of 12 children, nine of whom she raised to maturity, working hard but always observing the cultural things of religion and refinement. Religion was taught by precept and example in the home and the children were sent to the public school at an early age. Every one received an education, most of the family were graduated at the age of 16 from high school and most of them went on to colleges. Maria was inordinately proud of her family, her profusion of flowers and loved her church. She made trips to her old home in Canada and later in life to different cities in the United States visiting her children. She spent her last years in her old home in Rushford among her beloved neighbors. She suffered from cancer but went to sleep one day and never woke. She was buried beside her husband in the cemetery in Rushford, New York.
I have heard it said "That God found He could not be everywhere, so He sent us mothers." That surely was meant for Maria Kett Brady.