Simsbury Obituary: Elizabeth Bruyette, 91

Elizabeth “Betty” Bruyette, of Simsbury, formerly of Windsor and St. Petersburg, FL passed away Tuesday February 23, 2016 in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Betty was born on December 3, 1924 to James Joseph and Elizabeth (Roche) Freeman in Philadelphia PA. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Leo T. Bruyette Jr. Betty and Leo raised their family in Windsor before moving back to Simsbury and St. Petersburg Florida in retirement. Betty had a true love of life and related to people of all ages. She was an avid bridge player, who also enjoyed golf, travel, reading and was most happy at her summer home in Higgins Beach, ME, surrounded by her extended family.

After raising her 6 children, Betty began a career in real estate and was a member of the Greater Hartford Board of Realtors and received the Million Dollar Club Producer award for outstanding sales for Gillette Real Estate. She was also a long time member of Hop Meadow, Prouts Neck and Isla Del Sol Country Clubs.

Betty is survived by her six children and their spouses: Leo and his wife Kathy of Exeter, NH, Sally and her husband Peter Gimber of Sudbury, MA, Jim and his wife Phyllis of Annandale, VA, Patrice and her husband George Rodgers of Redondo Beach, CA, Barbara and her husband Justin Jordan of Glen Ridge, NJ and Janet and her husband Mark Petronio of Needham, MA and 16 loving grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her sisters-in-law, Janet B. Fitzgerald of Wayland, MA and Apopka, FL, and Kathleen Bruyette and brother-in-law, Gene Bruyette of Bloomfield and Stuart, FL as well as many nieces and nephews and was excitedly awaiting the birth of her first great grandson scheduled to arrive in June. Besides her husband, Betty was predeceased by her brother James Joseph Freeman of Louisville, KY and her brother-in-law Hubert J. Fitzgerald of Wayland, MA.

Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Friday February 26th from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday February 27th, 11 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 942 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Inurnment will follow at the Sycamore Mausoleum in the Simsbury Cemetery.

The Bruyette family would like to extend heartfelt thanks for the compassionate care that Betty received from the McLean Home Care and Hospice organization, and ask that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to McLean Hospice, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070.

Please visit Betty’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.