Nena Bruce

Nena Emma Bailey Bruce, age 92, died on Friday, June 7, 2019 in Lakewood, CO. She was born February 6, 1927 in Williams, Arizona. Nena was raised on a homestead near the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon. She moved to Prescott, AZ to attend Prescott Senior High School and subsequently graduated from Arizona State College at Tempe, AZ, where she earned a BA degree in Education and a Masters degree in Art Education. After graduation, Nena taught in elementary and middle schools in Southern and Central California for the next 22 years including schools in Bakersfield, Santa Fe Springs, Arvin, and Riverside. In June 1957, she married Richard C. Bruce in Whitter, CA. Together, they were active in the United Methodist Church throughout their 52 years of marriage, including aiding elderly and home bound parishioners and supporting the charitable efforts of the United Methodist Women. Nena also was a skilled artist, able to paint, draw, sew, knit and craft anything by hand. She was particularly known for her quilting abilities and in retirement, sewed professionally. Nena is preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and survived by daughters, Louise (Jim) and Linda (Scott); grandchildren Alex, Kyle, Emma and Grace; great granddaughter, Kiwi; sister Johnnie Louise; and niece Johnnie Ella. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 2 pm at Applewood Place Assisted Living, 2800 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215. Nena will be interred with Richard at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, AZ. The Bruce family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Applewood Place Assisted Living for their loving care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Nena’s favorite charities, Heifer International and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.