GILFORD ---- Elizabeth Donald Bruno, 85, of Bacon Drive, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at Concord Hospital – Laconia.
Elizabeth was born on July 4, 1938, in Govan, Scotland, UK, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Elizabeth (Donald) McEwan.
Elizabeth, known by all who met her as “Scotty”, began her adventure to the United States in 1960. As a young woman, she left all that she had known for a life in America. She arrived by ship to New York City and came to NH for her assignment as a housekeeper/cook for a prominent judge and his wife in Laconia. As she shared with her children decades later, this was lonely work. She worked six days a week and was granted Sunday mornings off to attend church.
She met her future husband, John Bruno at a local dance in 1964. They married in November 1964. In 1967, Scotty became a U.S. citizen. Scotty worked for the State of NH as an Occupational Therapist Assistant at the Laconia State School. Scotty worked there until the facility closed in the early 1980’s. She always shared her memories of the friendships she made with colleagues and residents of the Laconia State School. After her retirement from the State School, she worked with former residents in job placement in the community. She worked with her clients in gaining their independence and this brought her a great deal of joy.
Elizabeth loved and took great pride in creating and nurturing her gardens. She loved to travel, especially to her homeland of Scotland to visit her mom and brothers. She also loved spending time in the White Mountains, as well as the ocean, both in NH and in Florida.
When Elizabeth lived in Scotland, she was a member of the Lady of Mary organization. She had a big caring heart and often donated to several charities. As a resident of the Gilford Village Senior community, she was famous for making banana or zucchini bread for her friends and neighbors.
Elizabeth is survived by her son, Michael Bruno and his wife Kristin, of Bethlehem, NH; daughters, Laurie Moffett and her husband Roy, of Ormond Beach, FL, and Stacey Atherton and her husband Scott, of Sanbornton, NH; grandchildren, Danielle Matteson, Evan Bruno, Rachel Bruno, Ryan Boehner, Kelsey Mehmedovic, Cameron Atherton, and Erin Atherton; and 4 great-grandchildren. In addition by her parents, she is predeceased by her brothers John, Thomas, Lawrence, Drew and sister Catherine.
There will be no Calling Hours.
For those who wish, the family suggests donations be made in Elizabeth’s memory to the Salvation Army, 177 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246, or St. Vincent DePaul PO Box 6123, Lakeport, NH 03247.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.