Veronica "Ronnie" Brunnock

Veronica Eleanor Devine, affectionately known as Ronnie by family and friends, 86, passed away peacefully in the early hours of October 21, 2025. Ronnie lived happily with her husband Patrick of 62 years in Orangeburg, NY.

Born November 5, 1938, in Tuckahoe, NY to James and Eleanor Devine. Beloved wife of Patrick Brunnock. Devoted mother of Tim, Kevin, Christine, and Andy. Loving mother-in-law of Jennifer, Clodagh, and Mohita. Loving grandmother of Ryan (31), Mary-Kate (Ryan’s wife), Collin (27), Brendan (20), Sadhbh (15), Marc (13), and Daniel (8).

Ronnie grew up in Tuckahoe, NY with her parents James and Eleanor, and siblings Patricia, Genie, and John. Ronnie attended Fordham University in Manhattan. After graduating, Ronnie became a social worker. As was her nature, she spent this early part of her career working with under-privileged children, helping them in ways no one else could. She left this position to raise her own children beginning in 1965. She made a loving and thriving home for her husband and children, and her family will be forever grateful.

When Ronnie returned to the workforce, she used her management, organizational, and administrative skills to serve the Catholic church for 14 years as a top administrator for the Archdiocese of Newark. Her responsibilities included organizing the financial, physical, and medical care needs for retired priests. She could make any priest smile with her clever system she dubbed “Canes and Ables” for those requiring different levels of care. Like most things Ronnie did, this was thoughtful and effective. She was a beloved employee and made lifelong friends through her work, and everywhere she went. Many will cherish the thoughtful hand-written cards and notes she frequently sent for all life’s occasions, big and small.

Ronnie and Pat married in 1964, ultimately settling in Montvale, NJ where they raised their 4 children – Tim, Kevin, Christine, and Andy. The house in Montvale was a common destination for friends and relatives to celebrate everything from major holidays, to simple get togethers around the kitchen table or on the back deck. Anyone entering the house was welcomed with a warm hug, a genuine smile, and plenty of food & drink for the evening ahead.

Her love of music and art played a significant role in her life. Ronnie loved the tradition of “family jam sessions”, with guitars, harmonicas, and singing with friends, which went on late into the evenings. But Ronnie’s true passion was painting; she was a talented and accomplished artist. Ronnie was a student of watercolor painting, taking classes for many years, always refining her passion for this art. She was also a teacher of watercolor painting, providing endless hours of instruction and support to her students. Her watercolor paintings hang in the homes of family and friends near and far, as well as in The Ridgewood Art Institute in Ridgewood, NJ, and Gallery 302 in Bridgton, ME.

Ronnie and Pat spent more than 50 years in Sandy Cove, Bridgton, Maine. What began as one-week vacations in the summers with their small kids in the late 1960’s, evolved into a second home where they spent 6 months of each year for the past two decades. Ronnie cherished her extended Sandy Cove family. Together, Ronnie and Pat instilled a love of Sandy Cove in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and the many friends with whom the Brunnocks share this magical place on Long Lake.

Ronnie was a loving and dedicated Catholic who was always thinking about how she could better serve God and her church. We know she has been welcomed into Heaven by the friends and family who have gone before her. We love and miss you Mom, and know you will always be watching over us.

A visitation will be held at Becker Funeral Home, located at 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ, 07675, on October 27, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The funeral mass will take place at the Church of the Presentation, 271 W Saddle River Rd, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458, on October 28, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Valley Hospital Hospice Care Unit: https://www.valleyhospitalfoundation.org/give/ways-to-give

Or Covenant House: https://www.covenanthouse.org