ILION - Beatrice "Bea" M. Bruso, age 76, formerly of 279 Second St., Ilion, passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2013, after a long illness, with her family by her side. She was born on January 2, 1937, in Ilion, the daughter of Harold and Mildred (Bartlett) Strait and graduated from Ilion High School. On January 15, 1955, she was married to William L. Bruso, Jr. in Ilion. She worked with her husband in his W.B. Locksmith business since 1968. She was a member of the Ilion Baptist Church, Ilion American Legion Post 920 Auxiliary and the Ilion-Frankfort VFW Post 502 Auxiliary. Bea was past president of the Ilion William H. Hempstead VFW Auxiliary, past president of the Herkimer Co. VFW Auxiliary and past matron of the Ilion Beth El Chapter OES. She was also founder, charter member and first president of AMVETS Auxiliary Post 777. Survivors include her husband, Bill; her daughters, Nancy Anton and her husband, Bill, of Herkimer, Mary Rende and her companion, Tim Pope, with whom Bea resided recently in Ilion, Beverly Wood, Kim Bruso and her companion, Ann, all of Ilion; six grandchildren, James Rende and his wife, Andrea, Anthony Rende, Jessica Lamb, Jerrica Norris, Dana Norris, Jr. and Erica Norris and her fiance, Tim Johnson; twelve great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Renae, Faith, Jaide, and Hope Rende, Jarrod Price, Ethan Congdon, Madison Lamb, Jenna, Cameron and Ariel Norris, and Lucas Johnson; one great-great-granddaughter, Madelyn; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and Pat Foster, who has been like a daughter to Bea. She was predeceased by her parents and her great-granddaughter, Clover Ann Norris. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 9, 2013, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion, NY, with the Rev. Dr. Andrew D. Peloubet, Pastor of the Ilion Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer. Calling hours are Friday, August 9, 2013 from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. prior to the funeral home service. The Ilion-Frankfort VFW # 502 Auxiliary service will be held Friday, August 9, 2013, at 1:30 p.m., at the funeral home. The Bruso family wishes to thank the staff of Hospice & Palliative Care for their excellent care and compassion. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Bea, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet. Please omit flowers because of Bill's long time and serious allergy to flowers. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care or Alzheimer's Association of CNY. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. The Bruso family has entrusted all funeral arrangements and supervision to Bea's long time friends, Funeral Director, Don Applegate, assisted by his wife, Judy Applegate.