Donna Bruni

1943 - 2015

Donna Norton Bruni
1943-2015
Donna Norton Bruni lived and worked in Washington, D.C. for many years. She first worked on Capital Hill and then as a Presidential appointee at the Department of Defense. In 1982, she met and married the love of her life, Robert J. Bruni, from San Antonio. She is survived by her son R. Joseph Bruni II and granddaughter, Charlotte Abigail Bruni as well as Charlotte's sister Audrie Marie Soler who she loved dearly as if she was her own grandchild.
Donna was a passionate supporter of the arts. She served for many years on the board of Houston Grand Opera and was chairman of the Special Events Committee from 2010-2015. She and Robert chaired several successful special events for HGO including Opening Night Dinner in 2005, the HGO Opera Ball in 2009, and Concert of Arias in 2013. In 2012, Donna and her husband were the producers of The Clever Wife, an opera for children. In 2010, Donna conducted the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra performance of the Star Spangled Banner on opening night. Donna also served on the board for the Santa Fe Opera and was a member of the founding board of the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market.
Over the years, Donna has served on numerous other boards in San Antonio, Houston, and Santa Fe. She and Robert served on the board of the Blood and Tissue Foundation in San Antonio. She served on the board of Brilliant Lectures and along with her silver standard poodle, Pooka, had the honor of introducing actress Betty White at the Brilliant Lectures Series event in 2012. Donna and Robert were the Honorary Chairs of the 2012 Celebrity Paws Gala for Citizens for Animal Protection and they co-chaired the Inaugural UNICEF Audrey Hepburn Society Ball in 2013.
Several organizations have honored Donna for her work including the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce, Houston Grand Opera, Texas Commission on the Arts, and Virtuosi of Houston. A 25-year breast cancer survivor, Donna was recognized by Cancer Forward in 2012 as a Houston Forward Mover. Donna was also an accomplished photographer and artist. She has had several gallery shows in past years and was commissioned by the San Antonio International Piano Competition to do a poster for their 2012 event.
In addition to being a dynamic and resourceful leader, Donna had an unmitigated devotion to her family, especially her son Joseph. Donna was a remarkable wife, mother, friend and community leader who will missed greatly.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
SATURDAY
JANUARY 9, 2016
1:00 P.M.
ST. MARK'S
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
315 E. PECAN
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.porterloring.com. Arrangements with
PORTER LORING
MORTUARY
1101 MCCULLOUGH
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
227-8221