Dorotha Lou 'Punkin" Bruce, a vibrant and joyful lady, left this world peacefully on Sunday, May 16, 2021.  She celebrated her 100 ^th birthday on February 6 ^th of this year in a drive by celebration that made the news!

Punkin was born in Poteau, Oklahoma in 1921 to Emma Jayne and William R. Romine. She had two brothers, Bernard "Pete" and Ralph, who preceded her in death.  She grew up and attended school in Kellyville, Oklahoma, with many nearby neighbors on both the Romine and Banks sides of her family.

In 1940 she married her high school sweetheart, Loyd R. Bruce, "Brucie," from the neighboring town of Bristow.  They had a wonderful marriage of 66 years until he passed away in 2006. They had two children, Nancy and Bob, who reside in Tulsa.

Punkin loved her countless friends and was active in many organizations and studies of her own choosing.  She wrote several cookbooks that included family history and stories.  A just completed 500-page cookbook is ready to print.  She spent decades researching genealogy and had recently finished a final compilation of her findings which will also be published soon.  She was a renowned hostess and loved cooking special dinners for friends and families.  She had bluebirds that came when she rang her bell.  For the last 15 years, she lived at Inverness and had many dear friends there.

In 2011, Punkin married George Warde in a "big church" wedding at the age of 91!  George passed away nine months later, but they filled their time together with unforgettable memories, including a trip to Budapest for their honeymoon.  Later, George's long-time secretary, Helen Haynes became her travel companion and dear friend.

Punkin was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in downtown Tulsa and the Joiners Sunday School Class.  She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, P.E.O. and the Kentucky Bells, a group of her own creation.  Over the years, she enjoyed volunteering at Gilcrease Museum as a "Gillie," the Tulsa Garden Center, Philbrook Art Museum, and many other worthwhile organizations.  Her annual female family bonding party at Christmastime became legendary.

She was known as Nana and loved by all 6 grandchildren 18 great-grandchildren. To many others, she was known as Nana as well.  She remembered every grandchild's and great grandchild's birthday.  She loved life and found beauty and joy every single day.

She is survived by her daughter Nancy Hawkins and her husband John of Tulsa, her son Dr. Robert Bruce and his wife Jan of Tulsa.  Her grandchildren are Scott and Nicole Hawkins, and their children Payton, Finlay, and Liam, of Sevenoaks, England; Chris and Maria Hawkins and their children Ethan, Anna, Julia, and Lucas, of Seattle; Laura and Mike Johnson and their children Katherine, Caroline, and Luke of Tulsa; Banks and Genniva Bruce and their children Sterling, Cecily, and Pierson of Dallas; Patrick and Hayley Bruce and their children Annie and Royal of Tulsa; and Elizabeth and Jeff Contreras and their children Easton, Colton, and June of Tulsa.

Her favorite charities always involved helping Veterans. The Wounded Warrior Project was her recent choice for charitable contributions in her honor.

A memorial service for Dorotha Lou 'Punkin' Bruce will be held at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday, June 2 at 11:00 a.m.