Joyce Marie Brunner

Joyce Marie “Joy” Brunner, 74, of San Rafael, California, died on September 25, 2026, after complications from pneumonia that led to heart and kidney failure. Eight years earlier, she had undergone a liver and kidney transplant. Born on April 2, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, Joy lived a life defined by devotion to her family, compassion for others, and a steady, gentle spirit that touched everyone who knew her.

Joy grew up in Michigan in a large, close-knit family with eight brothers and sisters, a bond that stayed important to her throughout her life. The warmth and closeness of those early years shaped the quiet strength and generosity she was known for. She carried those family ties with her always and stayed connected to the people she loved. For more than 30 years, Joy worked as a nurse, a profession that reflected the care and kindness she brought to all areas of her life. Her work expressed who she was at heart: thoughtful, dependable, and deeply compassionate.

Above all, Joy loved her family. She was married to her husband, David Brunner, for 52 years, and their long marriage was a lasting source of love and companionship. Their life together was built on shared years, quiet routines, and the kind of steady devotion that becomes the heart of a family. She also held a deep and abiding love for her son, Brian Brunner, and for her daughter, Heather Miller, and her husband, Ivan Miller. Joy cherished her grandchildren, Vivian Miller and Isla Miller, and the joy they brought to her life was clear to all who knew her.

In her free time, Joy enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and relatives, reading, traveling, dining out, and spending peaceful evenings at home watching television with David. Those who knew her will remember how quietly and lovingly she gave of herself and how she made the people around her feel valued.

Joy will be remembered for the love she gave so freely, the care she offered so naturally, and the calm, steady grace with which she lived her life. Her presence blessed those around her, and her memory will remain a source of comfort and love for her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, extended family, and friends.