Virginia M. “Ginny” Bruno, age 72 years, of Neshanic Station, NJ, died peacefully on January 1, 2020 at home, surrounded by her loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born in Kearny, NJ, April 13, 1947, daughter of the late John and Christine Madden Eccles, Ginny was raised in Kearny and had lived in the Neshanic Station section of Readington Township, NJ for over forty-two years.

A graduate of Kearny High School, Ginny worked alongside her husband, Michael, as the office manager and bookkeeper of Tri-Line, Inc., a service station in Short Hills, NJ for over forty years.

The couple, who had been joined in marriage on November 16, 1968 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, shared their passion for life together. The parents of three children, Peter, Nicole, and Karen, they were so proud of their family. Ginny was also an amazing ‘Grammie’ to Julianna, Nicholas, and Harper, who gave her energy she did not know she had.

A communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Three Bridges, NJ, Ginny’s faith helped her navigate the winding path that life takes for all people. She was a “giver” in every sense of the word. If anyone needed anything, Ginny would be the first in line to volunteer and not ask for anything in return. This was at anytime, in any place, and for any situation. She simply lived for service and her selflessness knew no bounds. She would often remark that she didn’t have much money to give, but her heart was full and she loved to share!

She was a fierce advocate for the Special Olympics, and served as a coach in various sports through the years, including Bocce and also served as a chaperone for track and field. The Bruno family was so involved they were honored as “Family of the Year” by the Special Olympics of New Jersey in 2015. She encouraged all of her athletes to be independent and reinforced in them that they had the ability to do anything they set their minds too.

She had many hobbies, chief among them was spending time at the beach and playing the Atlantic City slot machines. She was also an avid fan of Disney, especially Disney World. It spoke to her sense of youthfulness and never ending sense of optimism and the powerful force of following one’s dreams. Plus, it was fun!

In 2010 Ginny’s world was rocked with the discovery of a brain tumor. Three surgeries later, she managed to have nine good years to enjoy and inspire her family and friends. She revolted against the disease and never let it stop her from truly living. She continued to teach by example during this time, and encouraged others to be the best versions of themselves no matter the circumstance placed in their paths.

In the famous Disney movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Snow White says, “Remember, you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine.” The world is not a darker place because Ginny is no longer physically in it; it is brighter because she walked through it. Always teaching, she would want all reading this to always remember to let their own light shine and to always inspire kindness in others. That is God’s gift to all people.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Getty; her mother -in-law and father-in-law, Peter and Margaret Bruno; and a sister-in-law, Valerie Bruno.

Surviving are her husband, Michael E. Bruno; her children, Peter Bruno and his wife, Carissa, Nicole Snyder and her husband, Charles, and Karen Bruno; her grandchildren, Julianna and Nicholas Bruno, and Harper Snyder; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Michele Bruno, Marco and Linda Bruno, and Anthony Bruno; her devoted dog, Bentley; several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; and many dear friends made over the years.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Thomas J. Serafin will take place on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, beginning at Noon at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ 08887, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

The family will receive friends at the Church on Tuesday beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will follow at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ.