One of Morgan Hill’s most ubiquitous volunteers, who died recently just months after her husband passed away, was always steadfastly devoted to the many organizations she was involved in while maintaining a sharp sense of humor, according to those who knew her.
Laura Brunton died suddenly March 10, of unknown causes, at the age of 71. Her husband Ken Brunton died of cancer Nov. 19, 2012, at the age of 72.
The couple were married for 51 years, and left behind three grown sons and two grandsons, according to Lou Merviss, one of the couple’s closest friends.
“They were devoted, they were good friends, they were fun, they were lively,” Merviss said.
Laura Brunton’s involvement in Morgan Hill started in the late 1990s, when she became interim executive director of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, according to current Chamber President Chris Giusiana.
Since then until her death, she remained active as a board member and volunteer for the Chamber, Giusiana said. Brunton was also a Rotary Club member, and was active in the Flower Lovers club (as an orchid grower), the Morgan Hill Downtown Association and the Morgan Hill Book Club. She helped the Kiwanis Club with their annual Downtown Holiday Parade for several years.
“She’s going to be a big loss for the whole community,” said Giusiana, who used to ritually go for ice cream with Brunton and Merviss after Rotary Club meetings. “She and her husband had a great sense of humor. She had a smile for everyone. I’m going to miss her terribly.”
Ken Brunton was retired from IBM Corporation, and remained an avid canoeist until his later years, Merviss said. The couple lived in Europe, then San Jose before settling in Morgan Hill several years ago.
Ken Brunton sometimes joked about the fact that he wasn’t quite the volunteer his wife was by referring to himself as “Mrs. Laura Brunton,” Giusiana laughed.
“His canoeing buddies have missed him for a while,” Merviss added. “They have really missed his sense of humor. Laura’s family and friends will miss her smile, her wisdom, her wonderful jam and jellies and especially her cinnamon rolls and cookies.”
Brad Jones, co-owner of BookSmart at Depot and Second streets, knew Laura Brunton through her involvement in the Chamber and Downtown Association. Jones noted that Brunton worked to improve Morgan Hill as a community behind the scenes, and though she may not have gained much notoriety for her good deeds she will be missed.
“A lot of people probably don’t even know they lost somebody who was so active in the community,” Jones said. “I will always have fond memories of Laura because she was always helping.”
