Obituary of Joan Brugger

LIFE STORY of MRS. JOAN LOUISE BRUGGER (nee DERRINGER) December 14, 1939 - August 27, 2016 Mrs. Joan Louise Brugger (nee Derringer) who was born on December 14,1939, and was the eldest child and daughter of Mrs. Madeline Derringer (nee Bodden), formerly of George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and Mr. Joseph Derringer of Paducah, Kentucky. Joan had not been in good health for the past two to three months, and passed away to eternal rest on Saturday morning, August 27, 2016 at Select Specialty Hospital in Miami, FL. Joan was a very precious and beautiful young girl who grew up in Miami, Fla., but lived most of her life in Hialeah. Joan attended Citrus Grove Elementary School in Miami, FL and graduated from Miami Jackson Senior High School. After graduating from Miami Jackson High School, she worked with Southern Bell telephone company as an overseas operator for many years. When her second child was born, she left the telephone company to raise her family and became a work-at-home mother, starting up and becoming the Secretary/Treasurer for her husband Jim's company B&B Hydraulics. They continued to operate the company for over 30 years until his death in 2006. During her life while raising a family, she became a very passionate animal lover, having several dogs and cats during the course of her life. But her final canine friend was a small rescued poodle/shih tzu which she named Snuggles. Snuggles became her lifetime companion and was cared for like another child. Joan will be joined by her faithful friend once again. Joan also became very active on the computer, learning graphics programs and creating some beautiful pictures that she would share with online friends of the same interests in different parts of the world. This kept her busy and her mind sharp right until the end. Joan was Baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Miami where her parents attended. Joan would later attend St Luke Lutheran Church in Hialeah where she made her peace with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Joan and Jim Brugger met in Hialeah where they became 'Sweethearts' and were married on July 24th, 1965. To this union was born two devoted and loving sons, Craig and Troy. Joan was also the very proud Grandmother of her three Grandchildren, Cory, Kelsey and Sydney Brugger, who she loved and adored, as well as their parents, her two Daughters-in-Law, namely Carol Brugger and Lynn Brugger, who she shared a very good relationship with. Joan's Mother, Madeline, who she affectionately called, "MOM", was the daughter of the late and well-known shipwright builder, Capt. Rayal B. Bodden, Sr. and Mrs. Hettie Bodden, both of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, who were also known to be two of the most devoted and loving Parents, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, and Great-Great-Grandparents, to all the family. Her "DADDY", and our "Papa", Joseph, was known to many as "Joe", or "Uncle Joe". He also was a very loving, devoted, and very kind gentleman to all, and are all of blessed memory. Joan helped to look after and care for her parents as they got older and was a very loving and devoted daughter to both of them until the end. She has now gone to a better place to be with her loving parents and grandparents, and other beloved ones. Joan was a very loving and caring Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Sister-in-Law, Aunt, Niece, Cousin, and friend to many who will all miss her greatly for the rest of their lives. Many of her family and close cousins and friends who live in the USA will travel from many places to gather here to celebrate her wonderful life. Her cousins, Mrs. Chasteen Bodden and her husband Robert Bodden, and Mrs. Aline Wood and her daughter Mrs. Gina Whittaker, all of Grand Cayman, will travel to Miami to pay their last respects. She leaves to mourn her two loving sons, Craig & Troy Brugger and their wives Carol & Lynn Brugger; her three Grandchildren; her two loving sisters, Mrs. Patricia Brugger and her husband Brian Brugger, & Mrs. Bonnie Rancel; loving brother Joe Derringer and his wife, Tammi Derringer; many loving nieces, nephews, special and close cousins, and friends who all loved her dearly and will miss her greatly. Her husband, Jim Brugger, pre-deceased her on February 13, 2006, after 39 years of marriage. Just like the title of her favorite song, Joan was an absolutely Amazing woman who was so full of Grace. She will truly be missed by all. We love you! May her soul rest in eternal peace and life perpetual shine upon her. Because of her love for animals, the family asks that in lieu of Flowers, that a Memorial donation be made in her honor to the Humane Society of Greater Miami. http://www.humanesocietymiami.org/get-involved/ or call at 305-749-1816.