Stephanie G. Bruce

A visitation for Stephanie will be held Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM both at Fruit Cove Baptist Church, 501 State Rd. 13, St. Johns, FL 32259. A graveside service will occur Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Cemetery, 11730 Old St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32258.

Stephanie was an incredibly loving wife, mother and grandmother, fondly known by her grandkids as Yia Yia from her Greek heritage. She had a love for music like her father. She played the clarinet in high school and later in the LSU Marching band. Stephanie was also a passionate dog lover and she enjoyed sewing. Stephanie especially loved doing crafts with her cherished grandchildren. She worked as a substitute teacher for many years because she loved surrounding herself with children. Most of all she had a fervent love and faith in Jesus Christ.

Stephanie (known as Steph by her family) was the youngest daughter of three children to Carrie and Leslie Gautreau, born January 19, 1959 in Baton Rouge, La. Her Dad worked for the City Government and her Mom for the City Police. She graduated from Broadmoor High School in 1977 and then went to college at Louisiana State University. Soon there after she married the love of her life Jack Bruce in Baton Rouge. Steph’s proudest accomplishment was raising her two children, Kimberly (Kimmie) and Daniel (Danny).

After their wedding, Stephanie and Jack made their home in various locations. They lived in the New Orleans area, the Memphis area, the Kansas City area, then Baton Rouge again, and finally landing in Saint Johns, Florida in August, 2000. Six years later they were blessed with the birth of their first grandchild, Olivia. Then in 2012, they were gifted with their second grandchild, Dylan. Stephanie always said her greatest calling in life was to be a Mom and a Yia Yia.

Stephanie is survived by her devoted husband of 41 years, Jack Bruce, her loving children, Kimberly Bruce and Daniel Bruce, and grandchildren, Olivia Bruce and Dylan Bruce, of St. John’s, Fl. She will also be greatly missed by her adoring mother, Carrie Catsulis Gautreau (Pro Yia Yia) of Baton Rouge, her older brother Ernest and wife Denise Gautreau of Walker, La, and older sister Leslie (Toulie) and husband Vincent Guercio of Baton Rouge, La. Stephanie was preceded by her beloved father Leslie Gautreau, Jr. (Bamps).

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

We so love you.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to The Gideons International at gideons.org/gift or call 615-564-5277.