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Miss Bruna
Zorzes

October 8, 1930 – November 6, 2018

Miss Bruna Zorzes
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"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
— Everest Funeral Chapel Limited o/a Everest of Thunder Bay

Obituary for Miss Bruna Zorzes

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Bruna Zorzes, age 88 years, passed away after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 with family and a favourite PSW by her side.

Bruna was born in Coppercliff, Ontario on October 8, 1930. Her World War I veteran father moved the family to Port Arthur to find work. A series of catastrophic incidents, including her mother's sudden death when Bruna was 10 years old and her father's PTSD and work in the bush, forced Bruna into a local orphanage. When she witnessed and experienced the suffering there, her career path was set. She would help children as a paediatric nurse specialist. Her younger brother Peter, eventually brought her home.

Keeping her goals in mind, Bruna excelled in her studies. In 1952 she started with a nursing diploma from St. Joseph's Hospital, then added a public health diploma from the University of Toronto, a B.A. from Sir George Williams in Montreal and a Master of Science from Perdue University. Between and during her studies, Bruna worked as a general hospital staff nurse, public health nurse, V.O.N., nurse educator, and a supervisor in a veterans hospitals.

While working several nursing jobs and on her doctorate in paediatric clinical psychology at Perdue, Bruna suffered the same type of traumatic brain bleed that took her mothers life. She returned to Thunder Bay to her final nursing position at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital. Following her retirement, Bruna worked for and contributed to many charities. She kept active with ballroom dancing, and Tai Chi. Socially, Sparky had many friends and was well known as the “Dancing Queen”. She attended the theatre and many concerts. A great friend and mentor, she arranged her nursing class reunions and celebrated milestones with friends. Bruna loved Animals, especially dogs and her lab, Jazzy.

Survived by her lifelong support, her brother, Peter (wife Anita Pukila); cousin Rita Pradissitto and other cousins and in-laws.

Special thank you to the compassionate care at Southbridge Roseview and to a dedicated long-time visitor, Susan Smulski, Jehovas Witness.

A private graveside service was held in St. Andrew's Cemetery, where Bruna was laid to rest with her mother. EVEREST FUENRAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma in care of arrangements.

Donations may be made to the Roseview Recreation Depatment, Underground Gym or a charity of your choice.

Interment Information

Location
St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Cemetery
Address
Location Information
Oliver Road at Balmoral / Algonquin beside Riverside Cemetery
Interment Extra Info
Private graveside service.