Zenta Bruton

Zenta Bruton passed away peacefully on January 25, at the age of 97. Zenta was born in Riga, Latvia and she always enjoyed talking about her happy childhood and visiting the beautiful beaches in her beloved country. During her teenage years Latvia endured a brutal occupation by the Soviet Union, a takeover by Nazi Germany, then another Soviet invasion. She and her family were forced to flee to the West and she barely survived the Allied bombing of Dresden which took the life of her cousin. As the war was coming to a close she got a job with the US Army in Germany and met the love of her life, Mess Sergeant Marcel Bruton. They married and had a great 58 years together until Marcel's passing in 2004. Zenta is survived by her four children, Marcie Schwarz, Ingrid Niles, Tom Bruton and Mike Bruton who received her loving care for 65 years. She is also survived by her son-in-law Russ Niles and daughter-in-law Therese (Dito) Bruton, and was predeceased by her son-in-law Bill Schwarz. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Nick Niles, Gabe Niles, Libby (Niles) Soldinger, Debbie (Niles) Broderick, Deanna Bruton, Kimmy (Bruton) Hart, Robyn Bruton, Lori Jo Bruton, Jon Schwarz, Alison Schwarz, Melissa Schwarz, and a growing list of great grandchildren. Zenta will be remembered for her special “grandma's pancakes” and piragis, for being a gracious host, and for her long walks to the produce store each day “to save gas.” She loved to play and coach volleyball at Holy Name Parish where she was always volunteering and attending daily mass. She remembered fondly her years working for Bishop Francis Quinn at the Catholic Newspaper, “The Monitor,” and enjoyed being a Cub Scout den mother and a track official for the SF Police Activities League. Zenta’s family is very grateful for the loving care provided by Joan Cona, along with Gary and Roza Nichols in her final years.