Maddalena "Layna" (Green) Bruno

Maddalena Maria Bruno (Green), known to many of her family and friends as “Layna”, 59, passed away April 5th, 2023, after a sudden battle with pancreatic cancer. In her last moments, she was able to be in her home with the love of her life, her husband Victor A. Bruno, Jr., at her side. Maddalena was born July 7th, 1963, in Portland, OR to Chiara Dazio and George Green. She graduated high school in 1981 and graduated from Oregon State University in 1986.

Maddalena went to work in Salem, OR where she met her husband, Victor Bruno, while standing in front of a church. Victor always said the first thing he noticed about her was that her slight limp, as a result from a prior accident, made her hips sway in a way he liked. After their first date that consisted of a long walk and a meal, Victor knew instantly that he was going to marry her. Maddalena married Victor on May 16th, 1987, in Salem, OR, after only dating a couple weeks. They moved to Baker City, OR, where she gave birth to their two daughters, Linea and Trina, in the years 1988 and 1990 respectively. Maddalena was an exceptional mother who loved her family with all of her heart. She went back to work a couple years after her kids were born; the longest and most fulfilling of jobs being at the Pill Box and then later at Eastern Oregon Medical Association. When she wasn’t working, she could usually be found at home with her husband and kids, soaking in as much time as possible with them.

Maddalena was happiest when she was outside with her husband, whether it was hiking in the woods, walking in town, gardening, or camping. She was even happier when she had a cheery, crackling fire; her family always joked that she had a little bit of a pyromaniac in her.

Maddalena was full of life, always taking any opportunity to laugh or joke (bonus if they were inappropriate) with those around her. The first thing most of her family remembers about her is her loud, contagious laugh and beautiful spirit. She rarely ever spoke ill of a person, and if she did, she would say at least four nice things about them later to counteract any negativity. One of the greatest loves in her life was that of being a grandmother. She had four grandchildren who she strove to see as often as possible; she loved playing with them, reading them books, or just holding them close. Her daughters loved her immensely and modeled as much of their behavior after her as they could.

Maddalena’s mother, Chiara, was her closest confidant, as well as one of her best friends. They would spend hours talking on the phone “cackling” to jokes that only they understood, as well as walking for hours at high speeds whenever they got the chance. They had been through a lot of life’s challenges together, and it showed in their deep bond.

Maddalena leaves behind a huge hole in the lives of her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her grandparents; Marty and Trina Rathje, and George and Georgiana Green. Surviving, in addition to her husband, are her parents, Chiara Dittmer and her husband, Emil, and George Green and his wife, Patricia; daughters, Linea Jantz and her husband, Peter, and Trina Young and her husband, Dick; four grandchildren, Iris Young, Dante Young, Darren Jantz, and Wade Jantz; and her brother, George Green and his wife, Tina, along with their children, her nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Layna through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.

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