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Patricia Brady '64

Patricia Brady '64

Dr. Patricia "Pat" Brady '64 is a woman of many talents and passions, as well as an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Her career has taken on many forms since she graduated from Kean University in 1964-sixty years ago this May. There is no doubt that her lifelong career as a psychologist has impacted countless lives along the way. Halfway through her career in 1998, Dr. Brady was honored for her achievements by Kean University with a Distinguished Alumni Award. Most recently, Dr. Brady has been inducted into the Kean University Medallion Society in recognition of a gift she has included in her estate plans which will support future generations of Kean students.

Dr. Brady shares, "My time at Newark State College, now Kean University, gave me a strong liberal arts background which has been the foundation for all of my future success." She adds, "When I was considering how best to leave a legacy gift to Kean, I decided to name the Kean University Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy because it was simple and didn't require complex changes to the rest of my estate plans." Dr. Brady's gift will ensure that future students at Kean will have access to the same educational opportunities that had shaped her own remarkable journey.

In every stage of her career, Dr. Brady's impact has been palpable. Each chapter of her life has been woven intricately with the next, creating a rich tapestry of experiences that has defined her professional and personal legacy. Born into a family from humble beginnings in East Orange, New Jersey, Pat was the first in her family to earn a college degree. Her journey may have begun from modest roots, but her aspirations and passion for education have known no limits.

Early in her career Pat was an elementary school teacher, but then after a few short years, she decided to pursue her passion for a career in psychology and enrolled in a graduate program at Rutgers University. Upon earning her master's degree and then doctoral degree, Pat became "Dr. Brady" and worked for the State of New Jersey overseeing a team of consultants before ultimately launching her own private practice as a clinical psychologist.

One of Dr. Brady's focuses as a clinical psychologist was working with clients living with chronic diseases and terminal illnesses. It was during the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s that Dr. Brady made her mark in this specialty area. Many of her clients were referred to her by local hospitals and health clinics. Dr. Brady's compassionate nature and unwavering support earned her a reputation as a trusted expert and confidant, especially for those who were facing the psychological challenges brought upon by the tragic news of an HIV diagnosis. At that time, AIDS was a new emerging public health crisis that the infectious disease experts were still grasping to understand. There were very few psychologists equipped with the skillset to help clients cope with such a devasting illness. During this time, Dr. Brady's keen skills and passion to serve others were truly put to the test. With empathy and understanding, she guided her clients through their darkest days, offering a beacon of hope during a time of deepest despair.

While working in private practice, Pat developed a deep passion and hobby for genealogical research which inspired the next stage of her professional life five years ago. In 2019, Dr. Brady retired from private practice and moved into the next phase of her professional life as an online instructor of genealogical research through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers University (OLLI-RU).

Pat shares, "All of my grandparents were immigrants. And I have always had a great curiosity in my family history." She adds, "As a psychologist, I have listened to people's stories for over 50 years, and I know that people's ancestral stories have a significant impact on their current lives."

Upon retirement from private practice, Dr. Brady was able to weave together two of her passions in life- her passion to teach and her passion to help people know more about themselves through researching their family histories. Dr. Brady shares, "I recognized that I could pass on my knowledge to anyone who was searching to learn more about their family history. The stories of our ancestors have intrinsic value which helps us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves."

Dr. Brady's unwavering dedication to her clients, her passion for lifelong learning coupled with her boundless energy and generosity of spirit, serves as a testament to the power that one individual can make a difference in the lives of many. Dr. Brady has not only transformed her own personal and professional life through higher education, but she has had an extraordinary impact on all the lives she has touched over time. Her gift to the Kean University Foundation will solidify and honor her legacy at the University while providing meaningful support to Kean students.


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