In Memoriam: Red Bank Resident, Valerie Joy Brownrigg, 67

Red Bank resident Valerie Joy Brownrigg passed away at home on June 21. She was 67.

Valerie graduated from Donovan Catholic High School in 1973. She earned her bachelor’s degree and later her master’s degree from Georgian Court University. Valerie educated many students in her 30-year career as a professor at Ocean County College before her retirement. She also served as an officer of the FAOCC (Faculty Association of Ocean County College).

Valerie Joy Brownrigg
Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home

“During her career Valerie served as an advocate for both students and faculty and was loved, respected and valued by her colleagues for her service to the union and always upholding the mission of the college. Valerie was a communicant of the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. She enjoyed kayaking, nature walks, karate and vacationing in Cape May and Martha’s Vineyard. Most of all, though, she loved spending
time with her grandchildren.”
Loved ones of Valerie Joy Brownrigg in her obituary

Valerie is predeceased by: her parents; her sister, Barbara Ann Lynch; and her beloved husband and companion, George V. Buonano, who preceded her in death in January of 2022.

She is survived by: her daughter, Nina Joy Sena and husband, Jason, of Shrewsbury; her grandchildren, Luke and Juliet Joy Sena; her sister, Janet Dreher and husband Thomas, of Forked River; her sister, Catherine Burns and husband, John of Florida; her step-children and their spouses, George Buonano and fiancée Erica Ruppel, of East Windsor; Sarah Shanahan
and husband Michael, of Jackson; and her step-grandson, Justin Buonano.

A funeral mass will be held at Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven on Thursday, July 7, at 10 a.m.. All other arrangements are private and under the direction of the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Stephy’s Place: A Support Center for Grief and Loss.