Winona Brubaker Brenner Brancato, 92

October 29, 2025

Winona Brenner Brancato, 92, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025. Born August 6, 1933, she was the daughter of the late George I. and Mary Myers Brubaker of Holtwood. She was married to Joseph J. Brancato, Sr., of Lancaster.

Affectionately known as Winnie, she was a 1951 graduate of Penn Manor High School.

Winnie enjoyed life serving her family, church and community. Winnie was a member at Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, where she was a member of the Ladies Bible Fellowship, in the Presbyterian Women and a Deacon. She previously served at Grace United Methodist Church in Millersville for over 40 years, where she was superintendent of adult Sunday School Class, choir, and participated in Youth Mission Trips to Maine and Kentucky. She also coordinated and served in the Mission Thrift Shop for over 20 years. Winnie grew up in the Bethesda Methodist Church in Holtwood.

Winona worked at the Clothes Tree in Millersville for 14 years. Later she worked at Millersville University Book Store. She was a Nurse’s Aide at St Joseph Hospital in the 1960’s. Earlier she worked in medical records at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, when Bob was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Winnie and her family had years of enjoyment at the Hillside Hunting Club in Poe Valley, Centre County. They also made a yearly visit to the Jersey shore to visit siblings and cousins. Later trips were to Florida, Virginia, Bermuda and Germany/Austria.

After Winnie remarried, she and Joe were actively traveling to gun shows, California and Europe. They bred and raised miniature horses in Peach Bottom.

Winona and the family always had a garden. She enjoyed cooking, freezing/canning vegetables and fruit. She also had a gift for letter-writing and loved to bargain shop. Winnie always had an open door for visitors and a sweet treat to share. She especially enjoyed time with her family and friends.

Her first husband, Robert B. Brenner, preceded her in death, along with her sister, Rachael Royer; son-in-law, Harry Stigelman; and granddaughter, Ashley Brenner.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her four children: Carol Brenner Stigelman of Millersville, Joni Brenner Reece of College Station, Texas, R. Jeffrey Brenner (Pam) of Conestoga, and J. Andrew Brenner (Lisa) of Lancaster: two step children: Joseph Brancato, Jr. (Tena) of Huntington Beach, California; Sharon Brancato of New Holland; two sisters: Elaine Carman of Manasquan, New Jersey and Beatrice Zercher of Lancaster. She also had 9 grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Winnie’s memory can be made to: Hospice & Community Care (Development Office, 685 Good Dr, Lancaster, 17601), or Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church (1068 Chestnut Level Rd, Quarryville, 17566).

Friends will be received from 9:30-11AM with a Memorial Service to begin at 11 AM on Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Charles F. Snyder, III Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584.