Virginia Cruse Brenza

Virginia Cruse Brenza, 84, died on June 22, 2005. She was born October 17, 1920 in Baltimore, MD to Lola and Kurtz Woodland. She married her first husband, Charles Smith Cruse, on December 21, 1941. Mr. Cruse preceded her in death on October 31, 1985. She married her current husband, John J. Brenza on January of 1990. She is survived by her husband, five children, six step-children, twelve grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. She attended the University of Maryland Medical School and then went on to receive Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Loyola University, and a Masters of Education from John's Hopkins University. While raising her five children, she worked as a medical illustrator, an aircraft illustrator during the war years and later as a counselor and psychologist for the school districts of Baltimore City, Harford County and Newark, DE. She retired from the Newark School District in 1986. Mrs. Cruse Brenza has been a member of the National Education Association, National Association of School Psychologists, Delaware Psychological Association, Daughters of the American Colonists Chapter Regent in 1968 and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was listed in Who's Who of American Women. She was an officer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and after retirement was President of the Senior Guild of Anne Arundel County. Mrs. Cruse Brenza enjoyed boating, hiking, bird carving, traveling, knitting, reading and participating in illuminating discussions of profound topics. She was a talented bird carver and her carvings of both water fowl and songbirds adorn the mantles and tabletops of many homes. Mrs. Cruse Brenza's children include Charles H. Cruse of St. Mary's City, MD, Linda Hughes, Susan Von Hagen, and Donald Cruse, all of North East, MD, and Bryant Cruse of Annapolis, MD. Her grandchildren include Jeffrey Cruse, San Diego, CA, Jennifer Cruse Napolitano of Portland, Maine, Laurel Waters Ellis of Baltimore, MD, Crystal Waters Starling of North East, MD, Bryan Waters of Elkton, MD, Justin Von Hagen of Seattle, WA, Jenna Von Hagen Huson of Washington D.C., Emma Cruse of Annapolis, MD, Linda Cruse of Merrimack, New Hampshire, Melissa Cruse McCallum of Cecilton, MD, Don Cruse of Catonsville, MD. Her great grandchildren include Sofia and Anthony Napolitano, Claudia Cruse, Liv Starling, Cali Ellis and Julian McCallum. A Memorial service will be held at St. Mary Anne's Church in North East on Tuesday, June 28th at 11:00 AM.