Obituary for Zaira Bruno (Marino)
Zaira Bruno (nee Marino) passed away on November 18, 2021.
From her immediate and extended family, friends, neighbors, caregivers, and even handymen, to every child or pet she encountered,
Zaira ("Zaria") was cherished as the gold standard of kindness, warmth, goodwill, humility and caring. On every holiday, she was flooded with phone calls from friends and family as far away as Italy.
She was born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1932, shortly after her parents emigrated from Abruzzo, Italy, when her father accepted a position as a violinist with the Venezuela State Orchestra. In 1950, at age 18, she moved to Philadelphia where she promptly met and married Michael, who she lost to illness in 2000. She missed him acutely until the day she passed, along with her dear lifelong friend, Scilla Wahls, who she lost in 2014.
“Mrs. Bruno” was a happy part of the fabric her Girard Estate neighborhood for 60 years, and is fondly remembered walking her beloved wire fox terrier, Taxi. Her infectious, twinkling smile was ever present, and she was an enthusiastically welcome addition to any gathering. She cherished every moment with her beloved and devoted daughters, Susan and Maria. She was a superb cook, known especially for her traditional Italian holiday feasts, prepared with her subtle and distinctive touch (which can’t seem to be replicated - despite her willingly sharing her recipes). She remained active and vibrant until recent years, even studying photography and French at Temple University into her 80s.
Zaira was a beautiful soul and a natural caretaker for the young and aged alike. She nursed her mother, then her husband, and then her mother-in-law heroically and willingly through their long final illnesses. “Aunt Zaria” also nurtured all the little ones in her family like a second mother.
She is survived by her beloved daughters, Susan (James) Matour and Maria (Robert) Leavy; her dear sister Lucia Ward, and also her loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing and funeral on WEDNESDAY morning from 9:30 to 10:30am at St. Monica’s Church, 17th and Ritner Sts. Funeral Mass to follow viewing at 10:30am. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO Music Institute) at pyomusic.org
From her immediate and extended family, friends, neighbors, caregivers, and even handymen, to every child or pet she encountered,
Zaira ("Zaria") was cherished as the gold standard of kindness, warmth, goodwill, humility and caring. On every holiday, she was flooded with phone calls from friends and family as far away as Italy.
She was born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1932, shortly after her parents emigrated from Abruzzo, Italy, when her father accepted a position as a violinist with the Venezuela State Orchestra. In 1950, at age 18, she moved to Philadelphia where she promptly met and married Michael, who she lost to illness in 2000. She missed him acutely until the day she passed, along with her dear lifelong friend, Scilla Wahls, who she lost in 2014.
“Mrs. Bruno” was a happy part of the fabric her Girard Estate neighborhood for 60 years, and is fondly remembered walking her beloved wire fox terrier, Taxi. Her infectious, twinkling smile was ever present, and she was an enthusiastically welcome addition to any gathering. She cherished every moment with her beloved and devoted daughters, Susan and Maria. She was a superb cook, known especially for her traditional Italian holiday feasts, prepared with her subtle and distinctive touch (which can’t seem to be replicated - despite her willingly sharing her recipes). She remained active and vibrant until recent years, even studying photography and French at Temple University into her 80s.
Zaira was a beautiful soul and a natural caretaker for the young and aged alike. She nursed her mother, then her husband, and then her mother-in-law heroically and willingly through their long final illnesses. “Aunt Zaria” also nurtured all the little ones in her family like a second mother.
She is survived by her beloved daughters, Susan (James) Matour and Maria (Robert) Leavy; her dear sister Lucia Ward, and also her loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing and funeral on WEDNESDAY morning from 9:30 to 10:30am at St. Monica’s Church, 17th and Ritner Sts. Funeral Mass to follow viewing at 10:30am. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO Music Institute) at pyomusic.org