Cynthia Jean Bruner

Dancing was one thing that Cynthia Jean Bruner enjoyed and always hoped to be able to do again, and now she is whole, healed and dancing with Jesus. Cindy passed away on January 25, 2022. She was born in Willard, Ohio on November 20, 1952 to Clair and Rita Buckingham and moved to Mesa, Arizona when she was 16. She graduated from Westwood High School and the Royal College of Beauty in 1971 and married in 1972.

Her greatest joy in life was being a mother; she always played with dolls and loved her real life dolls - her three brothers. She was a mother to many. Her three children, of course, benefitted from her love, wisdom, and guidance. She also loved to (grand)mother her grandchildren and even quit her job to provide daycare for them in their early years. But her siblings, nieces, nephews, and students were also blessed by her creativity and love. Through her life, Cindy enjoyed singing in choirs, starting as a teenager in St. Andrews Singers. She also loved teaching children in Sunday School, summer camp programs and VBS, offering it in her home at times. Her greatest joy was knowing Jesus as her Savior. Sharing Jesus with her kids and then the grandkids and knowing they loved Him too meant much to her.

Her mom, Rita, preceded her in death, as well as her brother Daniel and husband, Fred. She is survived by her dad Clair (Karen) Buckingham, her younger brothers Dick (Gwen), Joe (Patty), and sister-in-law Jeannie Buckingham. Also surviving Cindy are her children Jennie (Brent) Smith, Russ (Laura) Bruner and Rob (Joy) Bruner, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

You are invited to share in the celebration of her life on Saturday, February 12 at 2:30 pm at New Hope Community Church, 1380 E. Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert. This is a celebration, so feel free to dress accordingly - her favorite colors to wear were red and purple - and yes, sometimes together! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Faith Christian School in Mesa. https://faith-christian.org/donate/