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Monique D. Brunecz

FUNERAL HOME

Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. - Silver Spring

500 University Blvd. West

Silver Spring, Maryland

Monique Brunecz Obituary

MONIQUE DURELLI BRUNECZ (Age 64)
Suddenly on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, of Aurora, CO, originally of Washington, DC. Beloved daughter of the late August J. and Marie-Marthe Durelli; sister of Ana Maria DiLuigi and Andrew B. Durelli. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call at the Chapel of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada St. NW, Washington, DC on Saturday, January 8, 10 to 11 a.m., where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the APS Education Foundation (for the Reading Program of Jamaican Child Development Program) 15701 East First Ave., Aurora, CO 80011.www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com

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Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 6, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Monique Brunecz

Sponsored by Tim Abell.

44 Entries

Tom Truitt

November 13, 2018

I met many people playing tennis at a place called Severn Valley Racquet Club in Gambrills, Maryland. I met Monique thru this venue, and I enjoyed every moment of knowing her. She was a fun and positive person and she brightened everyone's day. She used to join a group of us after playing tennis for dinner and we had many awesome talks and great laughs together. We lost contact when she moved to Colorado but I often wondered whatever became of Mo. I was saddened to read this obituary when I searched for her name just out of curiosity. She will be missed immensely by all who knew her since she was such a fantastic example of how to live life & enjoy it.

Zabrina McCraw

November 26, 2016

Ms. Durelli was my Spanish teacher at Bowie 1986-1988. I moved away from Maryland a really long time ago, and I didn't realize she had passed. She was a great teacher, and I really appreciated her.

Debra Smyth

October 27, 2011

Mo, I miss you and think of you often. I felt your presence these past several difficult months and I got your message loud and clear. Thank you - you may have saved my life !!

Dave Wagner

January 18, 2011

All Bowie High Students will cherish the memories forever.

Maria Caro

January 18, 2011

I was a Spanish student of Ms. Durelli's at Bowie High School 1977-79. She was an amazing teacher; full of passion for her students and for life. She cared so genuinely for each person that came into her life. Thank you Ms. Durelli for sharing your love with us all. My heartfelt condolences to Ms. Durelli's family and friends.

Holly Gray

January 16, 2011

I was very saddened to her of the passing of Mrs. Durelli. I was fortunate enough to have her for both Spanish 2 and Spanish 5 while a student at Bowie HS. Mrs. Durelli was a very vivacious, passionate and dedicated person and teacher. I loved speaking with her and learning from her. I was blessed to be able to have her in my life even after HS and my biggest regret is losing touch with her after she moved from the area. My love and passion for the Spanish language and culture as well as my desire for true excellence are definitely qualities that she helped cultivate. Her memory will live on in me forever.
Senora Durelli te amo y gracias por todo...

Jeanell Boomer

January 16, 2011

I am shocked and saddened at the unexpected loss of our Senora Durelli. I was one of her Spanish students in 1992 and 1993. She was a rare breed of teacher that unabashedly demanded the best of her students, but with tons of love in her heart. I pray that you find comfort in knowing that she touched so many lives. Resto pacificamente en el cielo con Dios, Senora.

Kelli Livay

January 16, 2011

Please know that Ms. Durelli was by far the most inspiring and influential teacher I had at Bowie High School. I completed 4 years of Spanish in HS and had Ms. Durelli for 2 out of the 4. After graduating HS, I continued to take Spanish in college and ended up being a Spanish major. Ms. Durelli taught me not only the love for the Spanish language, but for the culture too. I remember her beautiful Argentinian accent, and how to pronounce the "o" in Spanish as to not sound like a gringo!

I send my condolences to all her family and friends. She will be missed.

January 16, 2011

I was shocked and saddened to hear that Ms. Durelli had passed. I was a student of hers as well as worked as her student aid. She was a great teacher and person. Although, she didn´t let you get away with much and was on you constantly, you always knew it was because she wanted the best for you and from you. My deepest condolences to her family. She will be missed! May she rest in peace.
Kelli Gray, Bowie MD; Chile, South America, Class of 1988.

Bryan Gardiner

January 15, 2011

I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a wonderful person and fantastic teacher. I too had Ms. Dureli for Spanish at Bowie High School and she was my favorite teacher. She taught me that if you work hard, you will "earn" the grade and be a better person for it. She made such a lasting impression on me and fellow students. God bless her...our teacher, life coach, friend forever.

Tim Abell

January 15, 2011

If I had unlimited words, I could write a book. I had four years of Spanish as a student under Mrs. Durelli in Bowie High School from 89-92. I'm not exaggerating when I say that she's the best teacher that I ever had in my life (and the ONLY one that I ever went back to visit in the years after I graduated). She wasn't my favorite teacher because of the Spanish -- it was everything more than that... she once told me (after throwing a chalk-board eraser my way a few times for incentive) that she was sickened by people like me who were able to do-the-minimum & test-well while people like her had to work her butt off just to make a C grade. So, she told me she was making a sperate scale for me where I was penalized double for not doing assignments. I said, "You can't do that, it's not fair", and she got in my face and said, "watch me!" She called my bluff. As a result, I studied, and I learned good work habits as a result. Though she didn't know it, I thought about her often, and I repeated her name repeatedly any time that I heard anyone talk about "best teachers". Though I haven't seen her in almost 20 years, I'll miss her. To all of the family, I'm very, very sorry for your loss. If it's any consolation, her LIFE was definitely our gain.

January 14, 2011

Ms. D was also a teacher of mine, and as others have noted she gave no quarter. To her family I offer my deepest condolences, and wish to say that even now, after more than 35 years, I remember with great feeling a particular time when she was unbelievably kind to me and went out of her way to make things work out the way I needed them to. God rest her soul.

Richard, Bowie, MD

Julie Trafton Setera

January 14, 2011

I am so sorry for your loss. I was in her spanish class way back in 1980, and still remember what an amazing teacher she was. I was a terrible spanish student, but thanks to her tough, no b.s. teaching style, I still speak a little spanish today. My condolences to her family and friends.

Vaneska T. Adams

January 12, 2011

Ms. Durelli was one of my favorite teachers in high school. I loved how she wouldn't let me slide with anything just because Spanish was my first language. My condolences to her family and friends. I am saddened by this news.

January 12, 2011

What a tragic loss. I am so sorry to hear this heart-breaking news. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time.

Marilynn Katatsky
Annapolis, MD

Suzanne BARIL

January 12, 2011

Ma famille et moi tenons à souhaiter nos plus sincères sympathies à toute la famille. Nous sommes loin mais malgré la distance nous pensons à vous. (Famille de Éloi BARIL, frère de Marie-Marthe)

Daniel Baril

January 11, 2011

My sincere condolences to all.May the Lord Jesus grant you his peace through this time of trial. Psalm 56:8+9
Daniel Baril Montreal, Can.(514)354-2421
My Godfather was Paul Pratte.

Sue Davis

January 10, 2011

May God bless her family and friends during this sad loss. She is with the Lord and I'm sure smiling down on us all. We will miss her greatly.

Sue Davis

January 10, 2011

My heart goes out to the family for their loss. Mo was a sweet person and I liked her very much. Many, MANY prayers to all families and friends during this sad time.

Dorothea Ehscheid Thomas

January 10, 2011

Thank you for molding us at Bowie High School to be productive members of society. Your no nonsense teaching has more individuals as teachers than you will ever know. This is such a big lose to the world!

Jill and Keith Liimatta

January 10, 2011

My heart goes out to the family, friends, and career Ms. Durelli left behind. What can one say at such a tragic time such as this?

The Liimatta Family, Baltimore, MD
(Beram)

Lisa (Lichtenfels) Citko

January 10, 2011

Ms. Durelli was my Spanish teacher for two years at Bowie High School. She was an amazing teacher who had high expectations for her students and wouldn't accept anything but excellence. She taught me so many things in addition to Spanish; I use my experiences in her class for inspiration in my own teaching career. I am deeply saddened to hear this news.

Anna Braucht

January 9, 2011

Mo was a great family friend. She taught my sister's kids pre-school, had dinner with my parents and was fun to visit with. She left her souls imprint on all she touched, she will be greatly missed.

If the family needs support or help, please don't hesitate to ask. Our family's hearts go out to everyone.

Tara (Bennis) Terry

January 9, 2011

Ms. Durelli was my spanish teacher for 3 years at Bowie High School (88-91). I was also a member of Key Club that she sponsored. Such fond memories of her class. I still remember her tricks to accurately pronunciate as well as conjugate verbs. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. Very saddened by this horrifying news of her death.

D. Walsh

January 9, 2011

I was a student of then Ms. Durelli at Bowie High School in the late 1970's. I remember her as a no nonsense teacher who cared about her students. My thoughts and prayers to her family and friends.

Kim Grant

January 9, 2011

Ms. Durelli was my 9th grade Spanish teacher at Bowie High back in the early 80's. She was such an excellent teacher that I never had to study. I have little phrases I use on a regular basis that I learned from Ms. Durelli. If someone asked a question, why?...she would say because that's the way the mother taught the kids. She would frequently ask..Estas en la luna? I will never forget this brilliant lady as she was an awesome educator. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Christi Apple Hudgins

January 9, 2011

We love you...I owe my graduation from Bowie High School to you. It is because of you that I made it....my heart is broken. To her family and friends...thank you for sharing her with us. We were the lucky ones.

Holly Wilson

January 9, 2011

I had Ms. Durelli for a teacher many years ago. It saddened me to hear of her passing. I have many fond memories of her. She was one of my favorites.

Jian Luo

January 8, 2011

Our sincere condolences to Mo's family. Mo was a very good teacher and always laughed when I picked up my kid every time at Jamaica CDC. My kid liked her very much. We are so surprised to have heard about her passing and feel very saddened.

K. Stone

January 8, 2011

To all of Mo's friends and family:
All of us here at Jamaica Child Development Center have been grieving about Mo's untimely passing. Those of us who are with the Evenstart Program are particularly shocked and grieved because we worked closely with her. I also worked with her at other schools. I send my love and comfort to all of you who knew her. Mo was such a good listener, so perceptive, wise, and compassionate. As many of you have written, Mo was full of life, humor, and joy. I hope that she knows that we miss her, think of her, and love her. Mo, your life had great purpose and success. You are forever in our hearts.

Carole Baril

January 7, 2011

Mes sincères condoléances à mes cousins américains Anne-Marie, André et leurs familles.En pensée, je serai de tout coeur avec vous samedi.

Louise Baril

January 7, 2011

Your uncle, Denis Baril, and myself, would like to express our most sincere condolences to our far away cousins, Anne-Marie and Andrew and to their respective families. Our thoughts are with you in these difficult and trying times. Even though I’ve never really known any of you, I feel very saddened by this passing.

May Monique rest in peace and may you all find the strength and the love to comfort and support each other.

Shawn Gilliland

January 7, 2011

My most sincere condolences to Mo's family. I knew Mo for several years; we worked together in the Aurora Public Schools both at the Laredo Child Dev. Center and at Jamaica. She was a wonderful teacher, and as delightful, generous, and selfless a person as you could ever hope to meet. She helped the children, and their parents, too. Mo enjoyed her work so much. She told me that she had decided to continue working with us at Jamaica rather than accept a job offer at Ponderosa High School. She laughed and joked and seemed decades younger than her actual age; in that, she reminded me very much of my Mother. She was fluent in three languages, and we used to speak in each of them - although she was always most considerate of my extrememly limited French! We also enjoyed serious conversations about current events and politics. She was a well-informed and responsible citizen and voter. Such energy and intelligence she had! At the same time, she was a very down-to-earth person.
My heart goes out to her family, especially her nephew who had been staying with her here in Aurora before she passed away so suddenly.
While I have no doubt that Mo is now with the Lord, we are all of us most bereft with her gone. I miss you so much, Mo. Your Colleague and Friend, Shawn Gilliland

Diane Landry

January 7, 2011

À ma cousine Anne-Marie, à mon cousin André ainsi qu'à leurs familles, mon coeur et mes pensées vous accompagnent. J'ai connu Monique plus jeune et je me souviens d'une personne pleine de vie et de joie.

January 6, 2011

I work at Jamaica preschool and first met Mo when she substituted in different buildings for APS. She greeted me in French each morning I saw her. She was such an upbeat person always looking at the positive. We will miss her greatly at Jamaica. Her spirit will live on through all those she knew. Rose Blume (Aurora,CO)

David Thornsby

January 6, 2011

I met Mo in Europe as we traveled through England, France and Spain. I knew then I had a very special friend. We vacationed in Utah and Arizona a few years ago, went on fishing trips, had BBQ's. We were both teachers sharing the same philosophies and successes of our students. I am going to miss you so much Mo. Rest in peace.

Aline Landry

January 6, 2011

À ma cousine Anne-Marie et à mon cousin Andrew et leur famille, mes plus sincères condoléances pour le départ de Monique. Je ne la connaissais pas beaucoup, mais je garde d'elle le souvenir d'une personne pleine de vie et de gaité. Nos pensées seront avec vous tous samedi.

Doing what she loved!!!

Sara Doane

January 6, 2011

I was the last person to work with Mo. She was a great person and always made me smile. She loved kids and wanted all of them to learn. She was like a mother to me always telling me to eat helthy LOL. She cared for everyone at Jamica CDC.Gone now but never forgottin. I'll miss you Mo.

Sara Doane

January 6, 2011

I was the last person Mo worked with. She was a joy to be around and always made me smile. She loved kids and she helped me see things in a differnet light. She was like a mother to me and she cared for everyone at Jamica CDC. She was a great women and will be missed but never forgotin.I'll miss you Mo.

Kim Fella

January 6, 2011

My thoughts and condolences go out to her family. She was an amazing woman -- I had her for 3 years of Spanish at BHS. She was a wonderful teacher -- one of my all-time favorites. I am so thankful that mine was one of the many lives she touched.

Jen Buter

January 6, 2011

I had her for Spanish for 3 years in High School in the mid 90's! I learned so much from her.....So sad to hear the world has lost such a great woman!!

Mandy (Stewart) Pometto

January 6, 2011

She taught me two years of Spanish. She was a great teacher....this is so sad.

Deborah Stone

January 6, 2011

I taught with Monique for years at Bowie High (Business Department). She was a wonderful and fun person to be around. I am still in shock. My heartfelt condolences to her family.

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