Cary Brady Dion - Obituary

Cary Brady Dion, of Annapolis, MD, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2021 surrounded by her large and loving family, after a brave and quiet fight with cancer. Cary was born on April 14, 1964 to Frank and Libby Brady, and was their fifth of six children. Growing up in Annapolis, she was always so proud to be a part of the Brady family. She graduated from Annapolis Senior High in 1982. That October, she met the man who would become her husband of 30 years, and the father of their eight children, Rick Dion. Cary went on to attend Towson State University, where she played lacrosse while earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business. While Cary had many talents and interests, she devoted most of her life to building a beautiful large family. Despite the demands of raising eight children, she had a remarkable way of making each one of them feel like they had her full attention. Guiding them, teaching them, loving them, disciplining them, and reminding them that “if you just have a little faith, everything will always work out.” In addition to her family, Cary held a large place in her heart for disadvantaged children, and cared for them as her own. She served on the board of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for several years, and together with her husband, supported the Stanton Community Center in Annapolis. Cary was the master baker in her family, always tasked with bringing dessert to birthdays, holidays or other events. She often delighted family, friends and neighbors with cakes or desserts for no other reason than to show her love. She passed down that passion to her two daughters, who have spent their lives carefully observing and (albeit sometimes poorly!) attempting to recreate her recipes. Though she was strikingly beautiful with her strawberry-blonde hair and contagious smile, Cary avoided the spotlight and always found a way to divert attention onto others. She also had a graceful way of connecting with people through her understated sense of humor. She was the unsung hero behind every event, quietly making good things happen for others, whether it was planning her traditional Christmas Eve party, organizing the annual beach trip to Murrell’s Inlet, SC., celebrating family birthdays, lacrosse games, basketball tournaments, graduations or career successes. She was a model of selflessness and care not only to her children, but to all who had the great privilege of knowing her. Cary is survived by so many people who loved her immensely. First among them is her husband of 30 years, Richard “Rick” Dion, of Annapolis. In addition, she is survived by her parents, Frank and Libby Brady of Annapolis; her in-laws, Alice and Bill Carbonneau of Deerfield, NH; and her children, Clare, of Washington, DC, Patrick, of Nashville, TN, Madeline of Washington, DC, and Daniel, William, Richard Jr., Robert, and Henry all of Annapolis. Cary is also survived by her siblings, Regina Brady Vasan, Katherine Brady McMillan, Elizabeth Brady Wasielewski (Phil), Edward Brady (Kristin) all of Annapolis, and Francis Brady, Jr., of Silver Spring. In addition, she is survived by her husband’s siblings, Jacqui Dion and Noelle Clark (Gerry) of Deerfield, NH, and Joe Dion (Kristin) of Londonderry, NH; and 17 nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own. Friends may visit with Cary’s family on Wednesday, December 22 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. A devout Catholic, Mass of the Resurrection will be offered for Cary on Thursday, December 23 at 10:30 am at her parish of more than 40 years, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. Interment will be held privately at St. Mary’s Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Cary’s name to Stanton Community Center, 92 West Washington Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, or National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Central Maryland Chapter, P.O. Box 655 Crownsville, MD 21032. Please leave a condolence message by using the Memories tab on this page.