Nancy A. Brunner

On October 30th, 2023, at two in the afternoon, the Lord called Nancy home to be in His arms. She was surrounded by the love and care of family and friends, and was assisted in her final days by the wonderful team at Hospice & Community Care.

Born in Absecon, New Jersey on September 8th, 1966 to Ramon and Arneita Frain, Nancy was their fourth child and third daughter. She grew up with her siblings Ramon, Lauri, Cynthia, and Diane, and the family eventually settled in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. She attended Ephrata Bible Fellowship Academy and went on to attend Philadelphia Bible University (now Cairn University) where she graduated with a B.S. in Education and a B.S. in Bible.

When she was in college, Nancy was active in field hockey, basketball, and softball. It was at PBU where she met Steve Brunner, a hockey player and future teacher who swept her off her feet. They fell in love and were married on June 3rd, 1989— a date that she felt was the prettiest sounding one on the calendar. They had three children together: Gabrielle Maressa, Stone Jackson, and Asher Daniel.

As a devout follower of Christ, Nancy both talked the talk and walked the walk. Her passion and faithfulness carried her through life, a testimony to the joy and light brought by believing and trusting in the Lord. She had the privilege of leading Gabrielle to accept Christ, and, along with Steve, raised her, Stone, and Asher in the faith.

Nancy homeschooled all three of her children from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Her dedication to teaching gave them a solid foundation for their future endeavors, and she loved being at home with them. Together, she and her children volunteered in the community, spent hours at the local pool, and learned something new every day. She was able to be hands-on with each of her children, fostering their imaginations, helping them figure out their goals, hobbies, and dreams, and watching them grow up.

Forever a teacher, Nancy assisted with and later took over her mother’s life’s work, Precious Promise Preschool, teaching children how to explore, how to become lifelong learners, and even how to dress up and have fun at their annual tea party. She also instructed the local community swimming lessons at Ephrata’s Grater Park, which combined two of her greatest loves in life: teaching children and swimming.

Nancy loved the beach, taste testing different foods, New York City, boogie boarding, Michael Jackson, gardening, holidays, and foot rubs, but most of all, she loved life. Her days were spent adventuring with Steve— driving to Ocean City for a slice of pizza, riding bikes down Ephrata’s rail trail, or hiking in God’s beautiful creation. She championed her children endlessly, and Gabrielle’s academic success, Stone’s work in the United States Navy, and Asher’s accomplishments in his industry were points of pride for her as a mother. However, her family continues to make her the most proud as they stand by each other, laugh together, worship God together, and love each other without fail.

Nancy is survived by her devoted husband Steven Neil Brunner, as well as her daughter Gabrielle, sons Stone and Asher, brother Ramon, sisters Lauri, Cynthia, and Diane, and many nieces and nephews. She is reunited in heaven with her father, Ramon Frain, and her mother, Arneita Nancy Frain, where they are made new in the presence of the Lord.

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held Saturday, November 4th in her favorite place on earth, Ocean City, NJ, for her family and close friends. If you wish to send the family condolences, please contact Gravener Funeral Home. A fundraiser is set up in Nancy’s name to go towards her passion of teaching children in Kenya at the following address: gofund.me/c323dbd8

“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

(Obituary was loving written by Nancy's family.)