Published in the May 24, 2021 edition.
FRANKLIN — Glenys L. Bruno (Mitchell-Lamphier), 86, formerly of Stoneham, sadly passed away on May 19, 2021. She passed away quietly surrounded by her loving granddaughter Kristen Bruno and her daughters Julie Bruno, Monica Foster (Bruno) and her dog Kali.
Glenys was the oldest of two children and spent most of her childhood growing up in Malden. Dealing with family tragedy and WWII she learned at an early age to cherish the things that bled and not the things that didn’t and that family was the most important thing to her on this earth.
Knowing what was important to her and having her grandmother’s love and support to push her to use her nurturing nature, she enrolled and graduated from Melrose-Wakefield Hospital nursing school. Not long after signing up for nursing school, she met and married her late husband of 66 years Alphonse Bruno. Together they bought a small 3 bedroom ranch and from that small humble beginning, she began creating a home, filling it with the love and laughter of nine children on a small, tight knit neighborhood street in Stoneham.
Besides being a loving wife and mother, she was a full-time nurse, part time postal worker and owned and operated Bruno’s Catering with her family. Though she wore many hats and took on so many things, nursing is where she found her true career calling. Glenys was a nurse her whole life. She always said she wanted to help people and loved holding babies, so there was never any doubt in her mind that she was meant to do anything else. So many times her training and influence helped her family and friends in their time of need. She was never afraid to work hard and she tried to instill that in her children and grandchildren.
Glenys was always there to help her nine children, whenever they needed someone to watch their children, a place to stay or just to help them through difficult times in their lives, Glenys our mother and nana was there. She did so many things in her life; she always had her hands into something. Traveling across the country, out of the country, planting pretty flowers, crocheting blankets and pillows, collecting thimbles, becoming active in church, holding bible studies, traveling to see her many friends or simply playing her organ, which she loved. A woman of faith she was always there with an “I love you,” “I will help you” or an “How can I help?” She was always honest and truly really cared and when she spoke those words she meant them.
She didn’t have many possessions in this world and what she did have, she gave away to those who she thought needed or would enjoy them more. Glenys was always given what she needed, no more, no less. Everyone who knew her said, “If you don’t believe in God, spend a day with Glenys and you will.”
She leaves behind many wonderful loving friends, Madeline, Rita, Joanne, Peggy and Vivian. She also leaves behind 20 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren who she loved more than life itself, and two people who she embraced as though they were her own Patty Ann and Lenore. To those who truly loved and knew her, comfort is taken in knowing that she went home to see her mother, brother, friend Eleanor and the Lord God who she served all her life.
Services will be private and are under the care of Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, 131 Main St., Franklin. (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).
