Ramona Bruno Young

Ramona Bruno Young, 92 of Culpeper, Virginia went to her heavenly home on April 14, 2020 at Beth Sholom Home in Richmond, Virginia. She was born on May 2, 1927 in Kulpmont, PA., to the late Erminio (Armon) Bruno and Mary Paskiewicz Bruno. Ramona graduated from Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial High School in Kulpmont in 1944 as valedictorian and graduated from Thompson College as a Medical Secretary in 1949.

Ramona was once described as an enthusiastic, efficient, effective and tireless worker for the youth in her community. She was very active in her parish, as an outstanding teacher and Chairperson of the Precious Blood Catholic Church Sunday School for 10 years, a chief advisor to the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), Secretary of the Parish Advisory Board, Secretary of the church, Treasurer of the Council of Catholic Women, a member of the Catholic Women’s Club, and sang in the church choir for 40 years. She also conducted sewing and cooking classes for the CYO. Her church awarded her the National Saint Ann’s Award for outstanding service of leaders contributing to the spiritual development of Catholic youth.

Ramona was an honored Girl Scout leader, achieving the “Outstanding Leadership” award. She served as a Reading Lab Teacher’s Aide at Culpeper County High School and was the Band Front Coach for the Culpeper County H.S. Marching Band. She organized an award-winning majorette corps called the “Culpeper Peperettes”.

She also served on the local P.T.A., was President of the Band Boosters, President of the Beautification Council in Culpeper, Director of the Heart Committee for the local hospital, section leader for the Heart Fund, an advisor for the Mental Health Association, a member of the Community Concert Association, worked with the Culpeper Sing-Out Youth group, and participated in the Leukemia Association, Cancer Fund, and Unicef Drives.

She was a lover of arts and crafts and regularly sewed clothing for her children Susan, Diane, and Jeff. She also learned to paint, enjoyed doing ceramics, reading, and refinishing furniture. She and her husband, David loved to dance and attended many dances sponsored by the Knights of Columbus as well as square dances.

In later years, she assisted with choreography and costumes for the Blue Ridge Barbershop Chorus as well as the “Down Home Quartet” and sometimes offered unsolicited musical critiques to the quartet!

Ramona loved her family, so she and her husband, David travelled in their RV to see friends and her relatives in Pennsylvania and Alaska. They also spent many happy vacations at their multiple time shares and at the family “farm” in Madison County, with their beloved Jack Russell Terrier, “Beauty”.

Ramona exemplified unconditional love and acceptance and welcomed anyone into her home regardless of race, creed, color, or religion during a time when that was not the norm. In addition, she imparted a strong faith in Susan, Diane, and Jeff by her example. Ramona taught her children acceptance, honesty, strength, perseverance, selflessness, and the value of a strong work ethic.

Ramona was pre-deceased by her husband, David F. Young and a son, Jeffery D. Young. David once wrote that “she was instrumental in keeping her dear sweet loving husband on the straight and narrow.”

Left to cherish Ramona’s memory are her two daughters, Susan (Spencer) Semmes of Glen Allen Va., Diane Hill of Fredricksburg, Va., five grandchildren – Derrick (Stacey) Watson, Danielle Watson, Ian Howdyshell, J.D. Young, and Crystee Young, and four great grandchildren – Ayrulan Davis, Aniya and Christopher Darbeau, and Evelyn Baldygo-Watson.

It has been said about Ramona that the key to her life was to give of her time, her energy and of herself. She will be sorely missed, as well as her smile, her kindness, and concern for others.

Details on visitation for family and friends in Culpeper, Virginia will be announced later. A memorial service will be held at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Culpeper at a date to be announced, with interment to follow in the National Cemetery in Culpeper and a reception at the Church’s Parish Hall afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Father Leo Zonneveld or Father Maurice M. DuCastillon Scholarship Funds for graduating seniors via Precious Blood Catholic Church or to a charity of your choice.

A memorial mass will be Saturday, November 13th at 11:00 am at Precious Blood Catholic Church. The address is 114 E. Edmondson Street, Culpeper, Va 22701. And burial service will be Monday, November 15th at 11:00 am at Culpeper National Cemetery in the old section, at 305 US Avenue, Culpeper, Va 22701