Dena Blackmann Bruce

Dena Blackmann Bruce, 68, passed away on Saturday, January 20th, at her home in central Austin surrounded by friends and loved ones including her husband, Steve, and her daughter, Clara. Three months prior to her death, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Up until a few days before her death, Dena was able to play bridge, spend time with friends and family, and share her gracious and honest life with those around her. Dena grew up in Beaumont, TX, graduating from Beaumont HS in 1956 and later attending the University of Texas at Austin. Dena moved from Beaumont to Austin in 1972 where she met Steve Bruce by playing bridge with him. They became partners in bridge and in 1976 they married, becoming partners in life, for life. Dena achieved Life Master ranking in 1977. At the time of her death, she had acquired 3, 645 masterpoints which was sixth most among women bridge players in Austin. Her favorite bridge partner was her husband Steve. Her favorite teammates include Gary and Marcia Powell, George Pisk, and Patsy Hood, all of Austin, TX, Gray Bell of Dallas, TX, and Alex Kolesnik and Sharon Beynon of Morro Bay CA. One of Dena's favorite activities was attending the Kerrville Music Festival, which she and Steve once did for 15 years in a row! Some of her favorite musicians were Guy Clark, John Vandiver, Tom Russell, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Dave Alvin, Leonard Cohen, The Eagles, and the Canadian band, Blue Rodeo. Besides playing the violin, Dena also played mandolin and piano. In 2001, Dena surprised her husband by announcing she wanted to become a New York Yankees fan (the last time she'd been a real baseball fan, Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson were playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers). She and Steve watched 99% of the Yankees games over the past six years via a baseball TV package. Her favorite player was Mariano Rivera, the Yankees' closer. For 26 years Dena (and thus Steve) was a "cat" person. But four years ago, their daughter Melissa gave them a Jack Russell Terrier for Christmas. Dena named her Cooter, as in "Cooter Brown" or "As drunk as Cooter Brown." Dena was completely smitten by Cooter and made up for the years she didn't have a dog by doting on Cooter and treating her as a family member, a tradition which will be carried on by Dena’s loving husband and daughter. In addition to her love of bridge, friends, and animals, Dena enjoyed crossword puzzles. She and Steve (or Stevie, as she called him) would often work a puzzle while waiting for their food at a restaurant. Dena worked for more than 20 years at the UT Law School, starting as a legal secretary and retiring in 1999 as LAN Administrator. Steve Bruce, her husband of thirty years, survives her, as well as their daughter Clara Wood, who lived with them. Clara was also Dena's friend, companion, appointments’ secretary, and nurse, making Dena's last months as good as they could possibly be. Clara’s significant other, Don Aishman, of Wimberley, TX, has also been very supportive. His love and concerns for Dena were apparent and much appreciated. Dena and Steve's extended family are their best and longtime friends, Charlotte and Kent Dezelle of Beaumont, TX. Dena and Charlotte had been close friends since the fourth grade when they shared the same violin stand. Kent and Charlotte often times shared Thanksgivings, Christmases, weekends, and vacations—they were true friends to the end. Dena is also survived by her close family of in-laws: mother-in-law Mary Bruce of Beaumont, TX; sister-in-law Virginia Provost of Beaumont, TX; brother-in-law David Bruce, his wife Kathy, and daughter Robin, all of Beaumont, TX; and Virginia's two sons, Gray Bell of Dallas, TX, and Andy Bell of San Francisco, CA. Preceding Dena in death was her daughter Melissa Pyle, of Austin TX, who passed away in February of 2006. Melissa's husband, Jim, and 11-year old son, Andrew, live in Austin TX. Dena’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, January 27, at 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., by having family and friends over to their house at 4411 Ramsey. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Town Lake Animal Center, Hospice Austin, or to the charity of your choice.