Laurie J. Bruce

Laurie Bruce, beloved wife, mom, grandma, sister, cousin, neighbor, and friend, passed away peacefully on Feb 26, 2026 at the age of 70.

Laurie was born on February 5, 1956, to Leo and Lois Tilch. She grew up in Royal Oak with her two sisters, Kathy and Mary Louise, and graduated from Saint Mary's.

She started her long career as a pharmacy technician in Detroit at Sinai Hospital, where she met her dear husband Tom. Together, they started their family in Hazel Park, Oak Park, then Berkley for the last 40 years where they raised their four daughters. Always full of laughter and love, they enjoyed camping, family gatherings, and the simple gift of being together.

Outside of work, she found joy with her hands in the soil and the sun on her face. Her garden was a reflection of her spirit: vibrant, nurturing, and eclectic. Whether cultivating bright blooms, sharing hunks of perennials with neighbors, or offering gardening tips to her daughters, she found deep happiness in helping things grow.

Above all, Laurie loved people, and deeply valued every single relationship old and new. She had a gift for making others feel seen and valued. Family gatherings, conversations with friends, and even chance encounters became meaningful moments in her presence. Laurie's compassion, generosity, and gentle humor will be remembered by all whose lives they touched.

Laurie is survived by her daughters, Sarah Bruce-Damore, Katie (Jon) VanBrocklin, Emily (Rich) Schlanderer, Jenny (Ben) Foster; grandchildren, Ash, Jon, Richard, Harrison, and Jack; sisters, Kathy Browning and Mary Louise (Tom) Allen; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, her parents, and son-in-law Eric Damore.

The family will receive guests from 1 PM until 8 PM at the William Sullivan & Son Funeral Home at 705 W. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI. Laurie will lie in state on Wednesday from 10:30 AM until the time of mass 11 AM at our Lady of LaSalette Church, 2600 Harvard Rd Berkley.

Though deeply missed, Laurie's legacy lives on in every life cared for, like every seed planted - reminders that love, like a well-tended garden, continues to grow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity to honor her passion for taking care of others, or plant a tree. An option to purchase a memorial tree can be found through the flowers and gifts button at the top of Laurie's obituary page. A suggested organization is the Berkley Educational Foundation, at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/HUmCbA?vid=1oz9ku < https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__fundraise.givesmart.com_form_HUmCbA-3Fvid-3D1oz9ku&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=o5nj33FYrqP8ChmElUoopA1LzXe109QJU6eVqjT4N7Y&m=h0Mtc5pfXHYcHngnpE08dx8PkE_n99Hj1kwaOLcdmAa3zK5lX8QtQ5TCf_bTv49Y&s=Lqf8C2ypomBOn5p9lxeyDhgikPY5dcypmYYA1S6BRq8&e= >

Please share a story of Laurie, or leave a tribute to her family at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com