Irma de Brigard Bush

Irma de Brigard Bush went to be with the Lord on September 17, 2025 at the age of 93. Irma passed away at home in the Marina District of San Francisco surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her adoring husband of 67 years, William “Bill” Bush and their four children: William (Annie), Thomas (Genie), Lisa Cesari (Patrick), and Maria McGinnis (John). Irma leaves behind nine grandchildren: Lauren, Katie, Dominic, Anthony, John, Maria, Paul, Everett and Odessa. Irma was preceded in death by her parents and older sister Olga.
Born in 1932 to Hernando de Brigard and Luz Maria-Romero, Irma was raised in both Bogota and Cartagena, Colombia. When Irma later became an American citizen, she was the first to fly the American flag on holidays, though she remained proud of her native Colombia. Indeed, she would threaten to move back to Colombia about once a year. Irma came to New York from Colombia at the age of 21 to learn English. After two years working as a clerk in an import/export company, Irma returned to Colombia, specifically Medellín, to visit her Great
Aunt Magola on her saint’s feast day. Her English was in her words “impeccable.” It was in Medellín where she was spotted poolside by a dashing young man named Bill Bush. Bill was a member of the ’56 NCAA basketball champions USF Dons who were traveling to South America on a goodwill tour. Struck by her beauty, Bill was too nervous to approach her until goaded by his teammates to introduce himself. After a brief conversation, Bill wrote in his travel journal that he did not anticipate seeing her again because she was way out of his league. Fortune smiled upon Bill that day as they remained in contact via letters and phone calls after she returned to New York and he to San Francisco. On April 26, 1958, Bill and Irma were married by Bill’s uncle, Fr. Damien, at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Eureka Valley. Eventually, Irma stopped working outside the home, and the couple raised four children in Eureka Valley and later the Marina with Bill becoming a lawyer at the Hanson Bridgett law firm. Irma was a woman of many interests and talents. She kept a garden while living in Eureka Valley, where
she grew vegetables and the most beautiful roses. She took up the Japanese art of Ikebana upon moving to the Marina, entering and winning numerous floral design competitions. Her home was never without gorgeous arrangements on display, often made with flowers grown by her own hands. With a sharp eye for fashion, Irma was always chicly coiffed. After raising her children, Irma was a student at the Pacific Fashion Institute where she famously never did her homework. In spite of that, she became a star student at the institute, eventually creating her own “de Brigard” label. Irma sold her handmade fashions at numerous boutiques on Chestnut and Fillmore Streets. Irma was also an avid golfer later in life, playing weekly at the Olympic Club with her golfing buddies. As she often said, she wasn’t long off the tee, but she never lost her ball. For all her attributes, Irma’s most beloved quality was her ability to relate to everyone she met. Walking with her to Chestnut Street for a quick errand took hours. Every shopkeeper, business owner, policeman, homeless guy, and waiter had to stop and say hello to the “Queen of Chestnut Street”. Irma was a faithful Catholic, devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren. Her family and friends mourn her loss, but take solace in the fact that she is reunited with those who have gone before her and continues to befriend all whom she meets.
You are invited to join the family for a funeral mass at St. Dominic’s Church (2390 Bush Street) on Friday, October 17th at 10:30 a.m. A Reception will be held immediately following the mass. A rosary service will take place the evening before, Thursday October 16, at 7:00 pm at the church. Internment will be a private service at a later date.

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