Donna Marie Camardo Bruno

AUBURN | Donna Marie Camardo Bruno, 56, the wife of Robert "Bob" Bruno, of Morningside Drive, Owasco, entered into eternal life Sunday, April 26, 2015 in Crouse Hospital, Syracuse, surrounded by her loving family.

A life resident of the Auburn area, Donna was a communicant of St. Francis Church, where she served on their parish council, the fundraising committee, as well as their 100th anniversary committee. She was a 1977 graduate of Auburn High School, and continued on to receive her associate's degree from Cayuga Community College, bachelor's degree from SUNY Utica, and finally her master's in education from Nazareth College.

She began her teaching career with the Cato-Meridian School District, and was later employed by the Port Byron School District for 18 years as a special education teacher and also taught the morning and afternoon classes of the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program. Donna was the first teacher to scores of children through the Cayuga County Early Intervention Program. These little ones often called her "My Donna" when she came into their homes with her bag of toys. Donna understood that 2-year-olds learn through play, and she was a skillful teacher who fostered curiosity and a love of learning in these precious little children. During her long career at Port Byron Central School, Donna taught hundreds of children to read. This is a powerful legacy. She was proud of her classroom and encouraged each child to be the best that they could be. When her progressing illness made it impossible for her to return to her classroom, she felt the loss with her whole heart. Donna was a past member of the City of Auburn Planning Board and a committee person on the Cayuga County Republican Party.

Donna was predeceased by her father, Prof. Joseph A.M. Carmardo, and is survived by the love of her life, Bob, her husband of 15 years; mother, Marion Reginelli Camardo; two brothers, Joseph and his wife, Nancy, and John and wife, Lisa; two sisters, Mary Ann Balloni and her companion, Peter Ruzicka, and Lisa Minnoe and her husband, Kevin; a sister-in-law, Marianne Burnett and her husband, Bob; a stepson, Jamie Bruno and his wife, Lisa; step-grandson, Caleb; nieces and nephews, Theresa Moutafis and her husband, Alexi, and Christina Camardo, David, Andrea, and Matthew Balloni, and John Jr., Nicholas, and Anthony Camardo, Erica and Brianna Minnoe; great-niece and nephew, Grace and Giano; as well as her two doggies, Dominick and Princess.

A very special thanks to Debbie Pinckney and Virginia DeJohn.

Friends are invited to join the family for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated by the Rev. Michael Brown, at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Francis Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours for Donna will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Cheche Funeral Home Inc., 1778 Clark St. Road, Auburn.

Be it kneeling beside the desk of a child, volunteering at her church, sitting among family and friends during a frequent gathering, or while valiantly battling the fight for her life on a daily basis, this teacher continued to instruct, no matter from where she stood. Giving others strength as defined through her courage and faith, leaves those of us impacted by her genuine spirit, more complete for the chance to have been touched by her heart.

Contributions may be made in memory of Donna Bruno to Saints Mary and Martha Parish, 299 Clark St., Auburn, for the establishment of a shrine at Saint Francis Church dedicated to Saint Peregrine, the patron of cancer patients.