Shirley Bruno

Shirley was the loving wife of Paul Bruno for 38 years and mother of Michael Bruno of Nashville, TN and Victoria (Bruno) Heavener of Stafford Springs. She was born in Meriden on January 20, 1960, daughter of the late Melvin and Mildred (Wilsch) Hallett.

Shirley will be remembered not only for her brave, eight-month fight against ALS and other intense illnesses during her adult life, but most especially for how she lived.

A graduate of Wheeler High School in North Stonington and the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass., Shirley met Paul at UMASS when they were 18-year-old freshmen astronomy majors and never left each other’s side. They were best friends and confidants.

After graduating with a physics and astronomy degree in 1982, Shirley began her career as an engineer for then-United Nuclear Corp. in Uncasville, until it was cut short by the first of her battles with lupus. Shirley quietly and bravely battled lupus for her entire life -- constantly beating the odds and persevering.

With resolve, Shirley turned her focus to her children -- Michael and Victoria. Always there to support and help them grow in their music and photography pursuits, Shirley also volunteered at her children’s schools throughout the years.

Shirley’s support for her children’s education and professional quests stemmed from her own love of literature, crafts and music. Shirley’s artistic and craft talents blossomed when the children were little and grew steadily through the years. She was a master at knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, sewing and especially quilting. She hand-crafted intricate and beautiful costumes for Michael and Victoria at Halloween and many school events. She also mentored friends and family in sewing and quilting. Her quilts are works of art and won numerous awards. She loved to spend tens and sometimes hundreds of hours patiently crafting heirloom quilts for family and friends’ marriages, births and major milestones. Shirley’s memory will live on in the quilts that will be handed down from generation to generation.

Shirley loved to travel and was especially joyous doing so in the company of close friends and family. Shirley and Paul visited much of the country – her two favorite places being sunny beaches and the desert. She enjoyed cruises and regularly went on one or two a year throughout the Caribbean as well as Alaska. She and Paul also treasured their special trips to Hawaii and Italy.

A huge rock & roll fan, Shirley saw her two favorite bands -- the Eagles in Arizona and Queen in Nashville -- in concert with dear friends and family. These were times that were especially memorable to Shirley and all.

In addition to Paul, Michael and Victoria, Shirley is survived by a son-in-law, David Heavener Jr. of Stafford Springs; sister Gail Hallett Sena and her husband Jim Sena of Cromwell; sister Jeane Hallett of Nashua, NH; father-in-law and mother-in-law Rodolfo and Maria Bruno of Rocky Hill; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Giuseppe and Laurie Ann Bruno of Wethersfield; nephews Joseph Bruno, Anthony Bruno, Holden Sena, Brett Sena, Roger Soulard and wife Lauren; nieces to whom she was “Aunt Shirley” -- Krissy Peterssen, Michela Perkins and Lauren Bolduc. She also leaves her beloved pets, Lexie and Jet.

Shirley was blessed with wonderful friends and especially very close friends and family in the South Windsor area. She was always there for them and they were there for her, especially during the darkest times of battling ALS. The family cannot thank them enough for all of their love and support.

The Bruno family also wishes to thank her healthcare aide, Debra, for her great support and also the wonderful hospice team from Visiting Nurses & Health Services of CT.

Please remember Shirley for being a beautiful, kind and sweet soul with a generous and loving heart. She loved her husband and kids completely and intensely, and loved her family and friends with all her heart.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, January 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield. A prayer service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 15 at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Shirley’s memory to an amazing organization that greatly helped Shirley and her family: The ALS Association of CT. Donations in Shirley’s name can be made to: ALSA CT, 4 Oxford Road, Milford, CT 06460 or online at www.alsact.org.