Amanda Bruce

Amanda Bruce passed away comfortably during her sleep at the care facility where she had spent the last couple years of her life. She was two weeks shy of her 91st birthday. Amanda was born in Pocatello, Idaho to Nick and Rosie Contos. She was the middle child of seven and grew up in the area known as the Triangle Neighborhood in Pocatello. Amanda was the granddaughter of a Greek immigrant and grew up in the Greek culture attending the Greek Orthodox church. She spoke fondly of singing in their choir with her sisters.

Shortly after graduating from Pocatello High School, Amanda married Eldon Bruce, an Army veteran who had recently returned from Korea. The marriage would last well over 6 decades. During this time, she embarked on her career with the local phone company. First working as a switchboard operator and ending in the Engineering Department. She worked for them for over 40 years while raising a family for most of it.

In the kitchen, Amanda was an accomplished baker and chef. Everything was homemade. Her pies are legendary to the point that her pumpkin pie recipe was published. All of her sisters and brother cooked. They collaborated to publish a cookbook holding all the family recipes. Amanda’s passion, the woman loved to shop! She made it an art form. There was not a grocery store, butcher or department store manager that didn’t know her.

Amanda joined her classmates in planning the high school class reunions. She and her sisters could always be seen at the annual Greek Festival on the serving end of the food line. Amanda and her sisters served on the committee to bring about the Lasting Legends monument to honor the Iron Triangle neighborhood where they were raised.

Those that knew Amanda will remember her quickness to smile and the infectiousness of her laugh. Her legacy continues on through the (4) grandchildren and (7) great-grandchildren who adore her. Mom has left her sons with a calm sense of being and knowing that there is nothing better than a mother's love.

Services are pending and will be announced at a later date.

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