Elizabeth Gilligan Bruno

Elizabeth Gilligan Bruno, age 80, was brought to Heaven peacefully in her sleep at her home on Friday, December 12, 2025, while surrounded by her husband and children. Elizabeth, who was affectionately known as “Betty,” resided in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

Mrs. Bruno was born to Grace Winters Gilligan and Hugh Stephen Gilligan on July 11, 1945, in Newark, NJ. She was the youngest of three children. Elizabeth began her career as a surgical technician prior to having her family. After getting married and pregnant with her firstborn, she embraced the role of homemaker, finding that nothing brought her more joy and self-fulfillment than caring for her family at home. She also spent several dedicated years of her life owning and working at a bakery in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, a chapter of her life defined by shared effort and the pride of building an endeavor with the ones she loved most. Later, she moved back to NJ and resided there until 2021, which is when she moved to Florida with her family.

Betty was the light of everyone’s lives, a true representation of God’s love and what it means for Him to shine through you. A devoted wife. A beloved mother. A tender and softhearted grandmother, who found the greatest delight in being called “Nana” by her precious grandchildren. These are just a few of the many roles that Betty so beautifully fulfilled in her life. Anyone who was blessed enough to have had her presence in their life will always remember her gentle spirit, contagious laughter, and smiles she so freely shared. She was as sweet of a soul as God makes, and those that she loved will forever carry her warmth in their hearts and spirits.

Mrs. Bruno is preceded in death by her parents, Grace Winters Gilligan and Hugh Stephen Gilligan, along with her eldest sister, Grace Gilligan Bruther Tackas. She is survived by her husband Frank, with whom she shared 57 years of a loving and dedicated marriage, in addition to her sister, Claire Gilligan Halliday. She is also survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Bruno Danyluk, son-in-law, Michael Danyluk, and grandchildren, Roman, Raffaela, and Isabel, of Lakewood Ranch, FL; her daughter, Christine Bruno, of Lakewood Ranch, FL; her daughter, Kerri Bruno Engley, son-in-law, Aaron Engley, and grandson, Finn, of Corolla, NC; and her son, Frank Bruno, daughter-in-law, Tracey Danyluk Bruno, and grandchildren, Emerson and Ava, of Wilmington, NC. Her several precious nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews also survive her.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Lakewood Ranch, FL. Interment will follow at Palms Memorial Park in Sarasota, FL. The family will receive friends at the visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center at 4310 Solutions Lane, Bradenton, FL 34211.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Hospice Affinity Care of Manatee County or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.