Obituary of Barbara Jo Brundige

Barbara Jo Brundige passed away Thursday February 9th, 2023 at age 77 after a long battle with breast cancer.  She died peacefully at home with her family around her.

Barbara was the daughter of Howard and Ida Mae Shoen who were educators and founders of North Shore Day School in Glen Cove.  Barbara was a graduate of Friends Academy and Skidmore College and achieved her master’s degree in education from Hofstra University.  Barbara was a wife, mother, mother-in-law, aunt and grandmother.  She was a teacher, a school and summer camp owner/director—succeeding her parents at North Shore Day School—a real estate broker in both Nassau County and the Hamptons and avid volunteer worker.

Barbara’s life was full of energy.  She didn’t know the meaning of “it can’t be done”.  Everything she did was done with a sense of passion and completeness. Even when she was in the latter stages of her disease, she managed to make it to the wedding of her son in California stating, “nothing is keeping me from my son’s wedding!”  She exemplified the meaning of a “can-do” spirit.  If there was a task to be done, you wanted Barbara on your team.

Barbara touched so many lives.  From the thousands of families who attended her school and summer camp, to the hundreds she helped with their real estate needs, to her volunteer work.  Barbara believed strongly in giving back. To her family, her many co-workers, her clients, tennis friends and fellow volunteer workers, she was an inspiration.

Tennis was Barbara’s passion.  She learned to play tennis at age 12 and it remained a passion her entire life.  She was on her college travel team and played competitive tennis at Nassau Country Club until age 74.

Barbara is survived by her husband, James, her sons James, Jr. (Vanessa), Jonathan (Lisa), Joseph (Shelly) and Jesse (Gabrielle) and her grandchildren, Jordan, Peyton, Mason, Taylor, Cooper, Madilyn, Ava, Celine, Orson and Cal.

Barbara’s energy and zest for life was boundless.  As such, she accomplished more than most people do in a lifetime.  The only thing larger than her personality was her heart.  She will be missed.

Visitation at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home, 26 Franklin Avenue, Glen Cove, on Wednesday, February 15th, from 3-5pm and 7-9pm.  A celebration of life is to be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 60 East Main Street, Oyster Bay, on Thursday, February 16th at 11am.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Red Cross, Hospice Care Network or First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay.