Obituary of Emmy Jo Brunner Gannon

Emmy Jo Brunner Gannon died peacefully in Pompano Beach, Florida on May 4th at the age of 86 surrounded by her family. Emmy is survived by her husband of 63 years Richard T. Gannon; her sons Richard B. Gannon and his wife Christine of Fairfield, CT, Robert T. Gannon and his wife Carla of Oak Island, NC, Gregory S. Gannon and his wife Kristine of Longmont, CO, and Glenn A. Gannon and his wife Elva of Pompano Beach, FL; her siblings Anita Rager of Dallas, TX, Susan Gaccione of Westerly, RI, and Alan Brunner of Glastonbury, CT; and her ten beloved grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Albert L. Brunner and Anita Seeley Brunner. Emmy was born on September 9, 1936 in Stamford, CT. She graduated from Darien High School in 1954, Centenary College for Women in 1956, and Columbia University in 1959 with a degree in Nursing. In 1959 she married her fellow high school classmate Richard Gannon and over the ensuing decades they raised their four sons in Norwalk, CT while she also practiced as a registered nurse. Emmy and Richard retired to their homes in Goshen, CT and Pompano Beach, FL, and eventually became full time Floridians where they enjoyed playing golf, taking many cruises, and hosting frequent visits from family and friends. Her husband and children remember her dedication and humble devotion to those in her care in hospitals and nursing homes as well as her family. She was passionate about genealogy and traveled to Ireland and Switzerland to track her and Richard's ancestors. Technologically savvy, she proudly kept current on her children and grandchildren's lives, as well as her extended family and friends via the internet and social media. She was a woman of great curiosity and intelligence and was very knowledgeable of current world events. In her later years she was active on various condominium association committees and was well respected in her condo community. Emmy, Mom, Grandma, sister and friend, always near and always loved. A celebration of life will be held in Darien, CT at a future date. In lieu of flowers the family would be honored by donations to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation at www.floridabreastcancer.org.