Mary Ann Brod, R.N., died on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, at the home of her son, William C. Brod, in Cazenovia. Mrs. Brod was born and raised in Harrisburg, PA. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 1957. She met her husband, Dr. James Brod, while they were both finishing up their medical training in Philadelphia. They married and moved to Bangor, Maine, in 1960 and later moved to Oneida in 1965, and became life-long residents and members of the community. She was predeceased by her husband on Dec. 31, 2015, her parents, David and Ellen Hoffman and her brother, John D. “Jack” Hoffman in 2007.
Mrs. Brod was an integral part of Dr. Brod’s orthopedic practice, both as an operating room nurse as well as an office nurse. She eventually transitioned to a full-time mother of four children, and excelled in the role of farmer’s wife at Highbridge Road, where she lived for nearly 50 years.
Mary Ann was a Latin scholar with an incredible vocabulary and a passion for reading. She was an excellent cook, mastering many international cuisines and thoroughly enjoyed her gift of hospitality, whether for the variety of community and social groups she was involved with, her husband’s various projects or her children’s life events.
Many an unexpected and often unknown guest was welcomed with open arms for a meal, a rest or just some lively conversation in their home. She was an accomplished bridge player and gardener, and in addition to her other civic activities was an integral member for many years of the Oneida Medical Auxiliary and St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Mary Ann was an incredibly hard-working woman; when she was not working as a nurse or entertaining guests, she did everything from taking care of the house and family, to bailing hay and chasing livestock with the help of her husband and children. She loved the family camp at Beaver River, along with the rest of the family.
Surviving are her four children and their spouses, William C. and Lisette Brod of Cazenovia, John C. and Debbie Brod of New Hartford, Thomas E. and Jane Brod of East Aurora and Mary Ellen and John Mathewson of Villa Hermosa, Mexico; as well as 12 grandchildren scattered throughout the continental US.
Calling hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main Street, Oneida. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Oneida. Interment will be immediately following in the Oneida Castle Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the CNY Community Foundation, 431 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, NY 13202, to the Dr. and Mrs. James and Mary Ann Brod scholarship fund established on the passing of Dr. Brod in 2015. This scholarship fund is actively awarding two scholarships per year in trade or medical vocations in the Greater Oneida Area. To contribute to the scholarship fund, please visit cnycr.org/jamesandmarybrod. To leave a message of condolence, please visit campbell-dean.com.