Anne Brophy O'Grady

We celebrate the life and are deeply saddened to grieve the loss of a truly wonderful person. Anne Brophy O’Grady passed away peacefully on April 24, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Anne is survived by her loving husband of 36 years Standish, son Standish, daughter Sinclaire, mother Sallie Brophy, spoiled furchild Chewie and grand furchild Obi, as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Anne’s brother Stephen Brophy and father Theodore Brophy predeceased her in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Anne was an unbelievably loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, and friend. Anne was born in New York City and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut. She graduated from Kent School and Hartwick College, and received a Master’s degree in organizational behavior from Harvard University. She worked in New York City for many years in human resources for several banks. Anne met Standish in 1986 at a rehearsal dinner she was hosting for mutual friends, prior to which she was addressing invitations and wondered aloud “why would anyone name their child Standish O’Grady?” only to ironically later name her own son Standish. Their deep love for each other and unmatchable partnership only strengthened through marriage in 1988, a subsequent move to San Francisco, two children, a menagerie of animals, a later move to Glenbrook, Nevada in 2020 and countless happy years skiing, sailing, walking the dogs, traveling, and telling each other how to drive. Anne wanted ten children, and Standish zero, so they “compromised” and had two. As a mother, Anne was endlessly loving, wise, patient, humorous, energetic, adventurous, and of course a little bit bossy (in which she took pride). As a daughter, she provided lifelong compassion and devoted care. Anne’s friends and family will remember her for her laughter and playfulness, thoughtfulness and love for others, wisdom, generosity, creativity, humility and grace. Our fondest memories of Anne include her peacefully tending to her garden and sharing her discovery of a new plant or bug, whipping up a Michelin star worthy dish in the kitchen amid a few swear words, snuggling and dancing around the house with her beloved dogs, 64 years of ski turns around the world, laughing with her girl gang on their walks in the Presidio, slicing a field hockey ball across New England grass (go “Broph!”), proudly driving like a “New York City cab driver,” and manning the helm of a breezy sailboat somewhere around the world where she prevented Standish from crashing the sailboat countless times, among many, many other cherished memories across so many happy years. Anne is especially remembered for her endless bravery, fierceness, tireless positivity, and unrelenting fight against breast cancer for an unheard of 26 years. We are forever grateful for the superb and determined care from UCSF, especially Dr. Hope Rugo and her team who gave Anne and her family and friends so many happy years together. A celebration of life will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Anne’s memory to UCSF to fight breast cancer and support Dr. Hope Rugo’s research: https://givingtogether.ucsf.edu/annebrophyogrady