Lisa Denton Bruno

April 20, 1959 – May 24, 2026

Lisa D. Bruno, 67, passed away on May 24th, 2026 after a sudden but brief illness. She was surrounded by the love and devotion of her family and close friends.

Born in 1959, Lisa was the youngest of four siblings. Her parents were James W. Denton and Millicent S. Denton formerly from Short Hills, New Jersey. Lisa spent her formative years in New Jersey, where she developed a lifelong love for the Jersey Shore at the family’s Summer home in Bay Head, and cherished many fond memories there.

She graduated from Lynchburg College and found joy in teaching, with a special passion for early childhood development and special education. For the past 32 years, Newtown Connecticut was her home, where she touched countless children and families through her compassion, patience, and unwavering care.

Lisa embraced life with energy and joy. A lifelong athlete, she loved skiing, tennis, dance, cycling and spending time outdoors. She brought warmth, humor, and enthusiasm wherever she went and had a remarkable ability to make others feel valued, and genuinely cared for.

Lisa Bruno

Lisa D Bruno

Lisa D. Bruno, 67, passed away on May 24, 2026 after a sudden but brief illness. She was surrounded by the love and devotion of her family and close friends.

Her faith in Jesus was central to her life. As a devoted member of Grace Family Church, Lisa found deep purpose in serving others through children’s ministry, missions, and caring for her church community. Her kindness and servant’s heart reflected the faith she lived out every day. She was never too busy to pray for other’s needs.

In addition to her faith and service to others, Lisa cherished her family deeply. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who took immense pride in raising her four children and later lovingly embracing two stepchildren as her own. Becoming a grandmother to seven grandchildren brought her tremendous joy. Her strength, warmth, humor, and fierce love will remain with all who knew her.

Lisa is survived by her loving husband, Dominick Bruno; her daughter, Kyle Gurnari and her husband Anthony Gurnari, and their children Hailey, Tristan, and Gavin; her sons Oliver Paynter and Maxwell Paynter; and her stepchildren, Kristen Curren and her husband Dan Curren, and their daughters Hazel and Violet; Nicholas Bruno and his wife Schimeny Bruno, and their children Troy and Stella.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Griffin Paynter, whom she now joins again in eternal peace.

She will be remembered not only for all she accomplished, but for the way she made everyone feel — supported, accepted, encouraged, and deeply loved.

A celebration of Lisa’s life will be announced by the family at a later date. Most likely in August 2026 at Grace Family Church in Newtown.

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Memories of Lisa

While I did not know Lisa too well - we were paired together in 2024 to be angels at the nativity! I will never forget Lisa’s kindness and how much she loved all the children coming through - Lisa is a light and became an example for me when I began teaching in Children’s Church. Rest in Heavenly Peace Lisa

Emma Vinci

Dominick and Lisa came to visit us in North Carolina in October 2021. We were so thankful that we met her for the first time. She was such a sweet and kind person. We enjoyed sharing a wonderful time together.

Ralph & Aida Bruno

Cousin’s spouse

Lisa was a bright light, and I was privileged to be one of her friends. Now that she is in heaven, I can only imagine the rewards that she is receiving. She was so faithful to share the love of God, and she invested her life for the gospel. I would like to share one of her favorite passages from Proverbs. Strength and honor are her clothing, and she will rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the teaching of kindness. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:25-31

Jeanne Aloi

Friend

My father had Covid in 2021 and ended up in the hospital. Currently and at that time I was living in Alabama far from family. Lisa called me to see how I was doing and let me know she was praying for my dad. She prayed with me on the phone. That meant the world to me and I will always remember that. She was there for me during a very difficult time. Since that time we have reached out to each other to encourage one another. The image I attend to this is coming she sent me in 2024.

Gina Guerrera

Friend/Family friend from Grace Family Church

Lisa was an amazing woman of God. She gave me a prayer book. I will remember her always. She’s with Jesus now.

Peter Keto

Nephew

Lisa had one of the most loving and gentle spirits of anyone I have ever known. When she walked into a room, her presence brought a sense of peace and warmth. Her smile was genuine and heartfelt, and when she looked at you, you felt seen, valued, and loved. Lisa loved Jesus with all her heart, and that love radiated through every aspect of her life. Her faith was not only something she spoke about—it was something she lived daily through her kindness, compassion, and unwavering care for others. She was a beautiful example of God’s love in action. To know Lisa was to be blessed by her friendship, her encouragement, and her gentle spirit. She touched countless lives and leaves behind a legacy of faith, grace, and love that will continue to inspire those who knew her. She was truly an amazing woman and a devoted woman of God. She will be deeply missed, but I find comfort knowing she is now in the presence of the Savior she loved so dearly.

Annamarie Faubel

Friend

I knew Lisa through her son, Griffin while at Reed School in Newtown. God bless you, Lisa. Say hi to Griffin for me, will you? Love, Dianne

Dianne Orlando

as Educational Assistants together at Reed School, and working with her son Griffin

I remember her love for our prayer time. I missed her voice. Lots of memories.

Zinash Mekonen.

Friend

I was blessed to pray with and for Lisa. She was a woman of God and I was blessed to know her.

Fred Mills

Friend

Lisa and I became friends at Grace Family Church. Lisa would visit me almost every Tuesday morning before her work began. We would sit and chat and pray for each other and for our friends and family. We always shared in taking communion together. For my 50th bday, Lisa went above and beyond.Dhe planned an entire bday dinner for me.She made me feel so special. After my husband and I moved to Florida, Lisa continued to reach out and stay in touch. she never forgot about our friendship. Lisa was a , loving caring friend. She centred her life around her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I will miss my friend. Rest in peace Lisa From Drene Celli

Drene Celli

Friend

I loved my visits with Lisa. We laughed and shared stories. The last time I did her hair she prayed for me, and it was lovely and I feel so privileged to get to have a glimpse of the amazing woman she was.

Sarah Kelsey

I was her hairstylist

She has a sweet and hospitable spirit We miss her I know my wife, Jo-Ann misses her greatly. Dom, we love you: you’re in our prayers daily.

Bob Russell

Friend

I have a million pictures of Lisa— Mimi—and just as many memories to go with them. Like any family, we had our highs, our lows, and everything in between. But some of my favorite memories with her are from our Disney trip together. It was right around her birthday, so I got her an “It’s My Birthday” pin, and Disney truly spoiled her. She got free desserts, the Dapper Dans sang happy birthday to her, and she absolutely loved every minute of it. Seeing how excited she was made the whole trip even more special. She also loved taking pictures with all the characters, and those photos are treasures now. We shared so many wonderful adventures together—not just Disney, but Acadia, Cape Cod, Lake George, and of course, Bay Head. Those memories will always make me smile. I miss her, but I’m grateful for every moment we shared.

Kristen Curren

Step-Daughter

Lisa brought me to Grace Family Church over 26 years ago she and Leesa came into my life at a difficult time we were both going through and taught me so much about prayer, friendship being always thoughtful she'd have prayer groups unifying people by praying for others. We'd go on walks, go down to Westport Beach together, skiing together lot's of fun times she truly knew what it meant to be a servant of the Lord's! Deeply loved, dearly missed til were reunited in heaven best friend

Jean Hughes

Dearest friend

Lisa loved life and lived it to the fullest, never taking a single day for granted. Her deep love for the Lord shone through everything she did. She cherished her husband and children with all her heart. Lisa was a genuine, spirited Christian friend who brought women together to pray, share and lift each other up. She was a sincere woman of faith and I'll always be grateful for her friendship. God bless you my friend.

laura wray

Friend

Being with Dom and Lisa in Tucson Jan 26'.wonderful memories.

Mary Hollenbeck

Sister in law

I met Lisa when she and Dominick came to Lakepointe, and honestly, her kindness and warmth stuck with me. She just had this way about her: so full of grace and genuine love for the Lord. You could feel it in every word and gesture. The thing that really set her apart was how she celebrated what God was doing, not just in her own life, but in everyone around her. Encouraging others was second nature to her. Her faith wasn’t just talk, it showed up in her actions, her words, right down to how she listened. As I read her story, it’s clear that the same grace I felt sitting across from her stretched over decades, pouring out to her family, her church, her friends, and probably plenty of people I’ll never even know about. Lisa embodied Proverbs 31:26, "her words were filled with kindness." And I’m pretty sure anyone who knew her would say the same. Losing her hurts, but even in the sadness, there’s something to celebrate with Dominick and the family. We’re not just celebrating the fact that we’ll see her again on the other side of eternity, we know where she is right now: Lisa’s with Jesus, the One she loved so deeply and served so well. As we move forward with the work God’s given us, we do it inspired by her example, grateful for the legacy she leaves, and strengthened by the faith she showed. What a beautiful life. What a beautiful testimony

Arthur Tsao

Pastor of Digital Ministries at Lakepointe Church

Lisa prayed and the Lord put us together we have a heavenly bond forever Lisa was by Bff and my prayer partner will miss and love ya forever Lisa

Leesa C Labombard

Heavenly sister

Lisa was a devoted friend and prayer Warrior. She was also an amazing part of a Bible study I lead. She would come as often as she could, always looking to learn and grow. She loved to pray with and for others. She cared deeply for her family and friends. She was a huge blessing to everyone around her. I will always treasure the memories I have of her.

Anna Tosini

Friend