Caroline Jackson Bruneau

Caroline Bruneau of Raleigh, NC, passed away on March 29, 2021. She was born in  Detroit, Michigan, the first child of Angus A. Jackson and Hyacinth A. Jackson. She graduated from Broughton High School and attended Mars Hill College in NC. Caroline married Richard C. Lassiter, of Lassiter Mill and Lassiter Mill Rd., and they raised five children together before his passing in 1994. Caroline bestowed upon her children her love of literature, music, theatre, poetry, and philosophy. She finished her teaching degree after her last child was born, earning her English degree from N.C. State, and then her Master's in Education from NCSU. She loved NC State, as her beloved father had earned his degree from that esteemed university as well. Caroline loved teaching and was a teacher for us all. She taught at Ligon in Raleigh, Wake Forest-Rolesville in Wake Forest, as well as Sunday school classes, a choir for children, and serving as a lay reader at her church. Caroline also served as a docent at the NC Museum of Art for many years and especially loved working with children.

We will remember Caroline as a woman with a zest for life. She loved any excuse for a party and a cake. She loved decorating, celebrating, and finding fun in life. She loved playing piano and harp. Her children all knew they would hear her sing and play "Happy Birthday" on their birthdays, sometimes via a phone call, and often with one of her beloved dogs howling along as the back-up singer. Caroline loved dogs, but all animals held a special place in her heart. Caroline loved theatre and acted in college, and later, at the Raleigh Little Theatre. Her first love was the stage, and she embraced any opportunity to participate in theatre arts. 

After graduating from NCSU, Caroline met and married Dr. Arthur Bruneau of Raleigh, and they joined families to include his two children, Lisa and David. Caroline and Art traveled extensively to Western Europe, Hawaii, Ireland, and Greece, enjoying many happy memories and fun times together. 

Caroline was always a devoted member of her church, bible study, and an active participant in her church community. We will remember her always as an inspiration to see the fun in life, the humor in life, and to celebrate life. 

Caroline is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Dr. Art Bruneau, her loving and loyal sister, Sally Goad Gryder, and her daughter Ashley Drinnon, and Tim, Caroline’s children, Cherie Dinkelcamp and Tad, and Cherie's daughter Susannah Nichols, Heidi Ackley and Craig, Rick Lassiter and Maneesha, Mandy Sweeney and Walter, and their daughters Mary and Anna, Kittie Grimm and Michael, and their son Nathaniel, David Bruneau, Lisa and Stephen Stewart and their children Caleb, Cassidy, Levi, and Asher.

The graveside service will be held Friday, April 2, 2021 at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest. With regards to the recent Covid restrictions, the service shall be immediate family only.

Caroline's love for animals prompts the family to ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the SPCA of Wake County or Heartland Hospice of Raleigh.

Arrangements by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919)556-7400

www.cswfuneralhome.com