Barbara Ruth Brunke Nye, age 90, passed away peacefully in her home in Sutherland on December 1, 2023. Barbara was born on August 23, 1933 in New London, Connecticut, and raised in Mystic, Connecticut by loving parents Louis Ray and Clara Belle Kenyon Brunke. Surrounded by her dad’s music loving family, Barbara took up her violin at age 8. Preferring practice to the playground, she and a friend would steal away at recess to play duets. Her delight in all things musical lasted through her life as she sang in her church choirs, patriotic programs, and for the last 20 years with ‘The Blue Notes’ here in Delta.
After earning her Associate’s Degree at Mitchell College, Barbara worked in Pfizer laboratories, making lifelong friends. She and John F. “Jeff” Nye were married in July 1959, and settled in Washington Depot, Connecticut. They welcomed their son, John, in 1961. Homemaking, working at banks and weekly visits to the hairdresser became her routine. Many collie dogs found a home at the big green house on Sabbaday Lane. Barbara enjoyed traveling with family and friends (camping not so much) and shared those memories of Europe, South America, and the USA all her life.
After some years on her own in Connecticut, during which she earned her Bachelor’s Degree, Barbara and her husband, Norman Strojny, moved to Delta, Utah. They joined her son: John (Maria) Nye; and grandchildren: Gregory (Kate) Nye, Peter Nye, and Katharine (Jimmy) Lotspeich at Mountain View Dairy. With good humor she attended livestock shows, went on 3rd grade field trips and learned to play Settlers of Caton. She and Norman traveled far and wide until his health required staying close to home. Upon Norman’s death in 2009, Barbara surrounded herself with her comfort activities: singing, book group at Delta Library (how DARE they discontinue the Book Mobile!), church going and spoiling any dog that came by.
As great-grandchildren arrived, Barbara’s door was always open and she enjoyed sharing her Snickerdoodles and Rice Krispie Treats with Tailynn, Emma, Jaxsen, Hannah and Harper.
An advocate for the underdog and a true believer in having a confidante with whom to sort the difficult times, Barbara had a listening ear and a gentle pat on the hand for friends and family in distress.
While we here in Utah, as well as friends and family in Connecticut, Rhode Island, North Carolina and Florida will miss her greatly, we are comforted knowing she is reunited with her beloved parents and sharing biscuits with all the dogs she loved throughout the years.
We invite her friends and our community to come celebrate Barbara’s life on Friday, December 8, at Sutherland 2nd Ward Church, 3060 W 2600 N in Sutherland. Barbara enjoyed any gathering as long as it didn’t last too long, so plan to come between 5:00-7:00 PM.
Please, instead of flowers, share some family lore with the kiddos, pet your dog or send a donation to the Central Utah Food Bank