Delfina Bernucca, a mother, wife and lover of nature who had an endless supply of support and kindness for all who entered her life, died Monday, Aug. 1, 2016 following an unexpected short illness. She was 51.

Known as "Fina" to family and "Dale" to virtually everyone else, Mrs. Bernucca had been a resident of Berlin, Connecticut since 2004 and left her imprint all over town with her open warmth and ability to see the best in people. Upon arriving in Connecticut, she successfully homeschooled her two youngest children for two years. She also took karate, coached youth basketball in Berlin and West Hartford and conducted natural childbirth classes in her home, a licensed vocation that expanded her impact on others to every corner of Connecticut.

In 2009, Mrs. Bernucca accepted an executive assistant position with Jefferies Inc., an investment banking firm based in New York. Despite occasionally long days coupled with a daily commute of nearly five hours, she unfailingly returned home each night in order to spend time with her family. While at Jefferies, Mrs. Bernucca developed a reputation for excellence and grace in her position that was recognized by both her co-workers and other executives in the industry. 

Most prominent among Mrs. Bernucca's many interests was her love of all animals, primarily birds and dogs. She also had a passion for gardening, knitting, reading, photography, superhero movies, discovering new music and trying new restaurants. A vegetarian, she was most partial to Middle Eastern food and her parents' authentic Mexican cooking.

Mrs. Bernucca was born to immigrant parents on July 7, 1965 in Aurora, Ill., as the fourth of five children. She met her first husband at the University of Houston and their marriage produced daughter Ana-Maria Bonner, 27, and son Noah Bonner, 26. She met her current husband Christopher in New York in 1992, a union that produced daughter Carolyn, 21, and son Andrew, 19.

Mrs. Bernucca also is survived by her parents, Nicolas and Genoveva Alaniz; father-in-law Louis Bernucca and his wife, Gail; brothers Jesus, Jose and Nicolas; sister Cecilia Soto; sisters-in-law Jean Alaniz, Nanci Alaniz, Mary Alaniz and Jennifer Bernucca; brothers-in-law Jose Soto and Gregory Bernucca; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mrs. Bernucca's life will be celebrated on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Berlin Memorial Funeral Home at 96 Main Street in Kensington, Connecticut. A funeral service begins at 12 p.m. to be followed by calling hours from 1 p.m. to  4 p.m.

Donations in Mrs. Bernucca's name can be made to the World Wildlife Fund (http://www.worldwildlife.org/).

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