Patricia Brusa

Patricia Brusa, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025, at the age of 74, surrounded by family at the home of her granddaughter, Delaney Benfield. She was born on April 3, 1951, to the late Sara and Harry Brusa, in North Bellmore, NY, and made her home in Oxford, North Carolina, a community she loved deeply and served generously.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Loretta Yablon and Carol Dussich.

She is survived by her siblings, Barbara Mancini (Charles), Lawrence Brusa, Dorothy O’Sullivan, and Douglas Brusa; her children, Jessica Kennedy (Dennis), Joanna Harrell (Curtis), and William Miller; her grandchildren, Andrew Miller, Bret Kennedy, Samantha Roberts (Kyle), Delaney Benfield (Justin), Cameron Kennedy, and Alexandra Miller; and her great-grandchildren, Wallace Benfield and Henry Roberts.

A pillar of the Oxford community, she was actively involved in civic and cultural life. She was a devoted member of the Oxford Garden Club and proudly served as treasurer of the Friends of the Library, giving countless hours to causes she believed in. Her generosity extended far beyond her hometown through her support of organizations such as the North Carolina Symphony, Heifer Ranch, Penland Craft School, WWF, the Sierra Club, the Arbor Day Foundation, NRDC, and many others.

She was an avid crafter and gardener, finding joy and peace in creating beauty with her hands. Her yard was intentionally cultivated as a safe haven for birds, pollinators, and all manner of creatures—a reflection of her deep respect for nature and the world around her. She also loved to travel and explore destinations across the country, always curious and eager to learn.

Above all, she will be remembered for her kindness, her quiet dedication to making the world better, and the love she shared so freely with her family and community. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the causes she supported, and the natural beauty she so carefully nurtured.

A memorial service will be held on December 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Endswell Funeral Home in Hillsborough, North Carolina.