Nancy Bruni, ‘72
BRUNI, Nancy Clayton Long, 70, died too soon on April 19, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. She died peacefully with her son, Ben, and daughter-in-law, Liz, by her side.
Nancy was born to Ralph and Virginia Long in Roanoke, VA on February 6, 1954. She attended St. Margaret's and The College of William and Mary '76, where she was an Art History major and President of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Nancy was the heart of pledge dance pre-party festivities in the halls of the dorm and always danced her way through the party. After college, she received her MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University and went on to create a management consulting business concentrating on not-for-profits such as women's colleges, ballet, and art museums. Nancy possessed a brilliant mind and determined work ethic and excelled both academically and professionally.
Nancy was a prodigious volunteer. After Nancy's son, Ben, was born in 1991, she went on to become the President of the Collegiate Parent Association, a member of the Board at The Collegiate School, campaigned on behalf of political candidates, and served in numerous volunteer positions that made the Richmond community a better and kinder place.
Beyond impressive worldly achievements, Nancy leaves a legacy of love for family, fun, laughter, beauty, and friendship in her wake.
Nancy loved exploration and experience. She traveled the world with Rusty, her partner in marriage for 45 years. She managed a final trip to France in May that included art, hiking, nature, fine wine, and food. Nancy remained unruffled and elegant throughout it all, remaining steadfastly lovely throughout her many battles with cancer just as she had in life's more joyful adventures.
Nancy's greatest joys were her wonderful marriage with Rusty and the births of Ben and her granddaughters, Nell and Sara. She delighted in her daughter-in-law, Liz, and was so grateful that her family was nearby in Richmond. Her greatest sorrows were the death of her first child, Douglass, in his infancy, and the recent death of Rusty. Letting go of her loved ones now, so soon, was her greatest regret.
Nancy lived the lyric: "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." By this measure, we, we who mourn are left with boundless love because that is what Nancy made.
Nancy is survived also by her sister, Dottie Mattox; her brother, Jim Long; loving nieces, nephews, and grand together with treasured friends from her life's path.
The family invites you to join them for Nancy's memorial service at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226 on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates contributions to the St. Mary's PICU Fund care of Bon Secours Richmond Foundation at 5855 Bremo Road, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23226. To give online, visit www.givebsmh.org/richmond and select "Other" and type in "PICU." To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
