Beth Bruner

Bruner, Beth

Pittsford: Predeceased by mother, Lilian Pranger; father, Ory Pranger; dear friend, Anne Gitlin; sister- and brother-in-law, Judi and Alan Green; sister-in-law, Leslie Gould. Survived by beloved husband, Josh, and treasured son, Zachary; sisters, Jill Pranger (Charlie Miersch) and Jane Thorne (Gary); brother-in-law, Simeon Bruner (Senta Burton); nieces and nephews, Sarah Bruner, Aaron Bruner (Adrienne Gallo), Jeremy Green (Yvonne Adams), Michael Green (Montana), Joel Green (Martha), Auston Moore (Roger); grand nieces and nephews, Nathan and Ari Green, Nina, Renzo and Lilah Gallo-Bruner, Logan Green, Kalan and Noah Green.

Born in Kansas, Beth moved to Rochester in 1976. She retired from teaching at The Harley School in 1984 to be a full-time wife, mother and active volunteer. Over the years Beth wove and interwove family, friends and work to make the textured fabric of her life.

She loved Rochester and actively worked to make it a better place to live. She served as Vice President of the Board of Harley School, President of Grantmakers Forum and Chair of the Board of the Ad Council before immersing herself in the Jewish Community. There she was President of Jewish Family Service, Chair of Women's Division of the Jewish Federation and President of the Jewish Federation. Most recently Beth served on the Grants Committee at the Farash Foundation and was the Chair of the newly created Farash Institute for Jewish Education.

Professionally, Beth was the Director of Effectiveness Initiatives at the Bruner Foundation. There she championed evaluation as a tool for organizational learning. She spent the last 20 years working to help the non-profit sector, both locally and at the national level as a Board member and Chair of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations/GEO, understand and develop evaluation skills that would to allow them to better serve clients. Most recently, Bruner Foundation materials that Beth co-authored were translated into Hebrew in collaboration with the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation for use in Israel.

Funeral Services will be held on WEDNESDAY, September 16, 2015 at 12 NOON in The Sanctuary of Temple Beth El (139 Winton Road South). Interment, Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will be sitting Shiva at 311 Mendon Center Road in Pittsford on WEDNESDAY from 7-9 PM, THURSDAY from 12-3 PM and 6-9 PM and FRIDAY from 3-7 PM. Beth was a believer in the power of human connection and the responsibility of tzedakah/charity. So, in lieu of flowers please consider new acts of daily kindness and contributions to the Zachary Bruner Advised Fund at the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester or a charity of your choice.