Mary Jane Bruce

Mary Jane Deverick Bruce, 95, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on September 22, 2025. Born April 22, 1930, in Staunton, Virginia to Robert Lewis and Maude Viola Deverick, Jane was the youngest of 4 siblings. She graduated from both Stuart Hall School and Dunsmore Business College in Staunton, where she also began her career as an administrative assistant at Mary Baldwin College.

In 1954, Jane married William Durwood Bruce. Soon after, the couple moved to Kassel, Germany where Bill was stationed with the Army. After Bill was discharged they settled in Virginia and had two children: Karen and Tom. The family later moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where Jane spent 19 years as an executive assistant at J.A. Jones Construction Company, retiring in 1995.

After retirement Jane spent many happy years living in Kiawah Island, South Carolina and later Chapel Hill. Jane loved to sew and was incredibly talented--creating everything from clothing and costumes to beautiful quilts, pillows and curtains. She was also an avid animal lover who found joy in watching birds and wildlife in her yard and doting on her cats and "grand-dogs".

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Bill. She is survived by her children, Thomas Bruce of Greensboro and Karen (Doug) Gilliam of Fuquay-Varina; and by two grandchildren, Adrian Gilliam of Durham and his girlfriend, Peyton Hinson, and Emma (Michael) Rader of Chapel Hill.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at The Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to The Chapel of the Cross, 304 E. Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.