Brianna Zunino Denison, known for her million-dollar-smile and sparkling blue eyes, her tremendous outgoing nature and compassion, died in Reno, NV after being abducted on January 20, 2008. She was 19 years old.
Brianna was born on March 29, 1988. She was lovingly known by her mother as Breezy, because she reminded her of a “breath of fresh air on a cool summer day.“ She spent her childhood in Reno, NV, and in her mother's native town of Mendocino, CA. Brianna's passion for traveling and world cultures took her to Hawaii, New York, Mexico, Jamaica, Japan, Italy, Egypt, Hungary, Austria, and France. She studied abroad in Rome, Italy for a year with her family. Her ability to connect with people from all walks of life became part of her radiant personality.
When Jeff and Bridgette Denison's children, Brianna and Brighton, were born, they considered them to be the greatest gifts of their lives.
Brianna was raised in the tradition of honoring children as our most precious possessions. Brianna's mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends instilled in her the merits of being a loving, spiritual, respectful and trusting human being. She loved children and animals, especially her dog, Ozzy.
Brianna graduated from Reno High School in 2006. She was a sophomore at Santa Barbara City College, majoring in child psychology. She is survived by her mother, Bridgette Zunino-Denison and younger brother, Brighton Denison of Reno; her maternal grandparents, Bob and Barbara Zunino of Mendocino; her maternal uncle, John Zunino and her cousin, Ashley Zunino. She also leaves behind her paternal grandmother, Carol (Fifi) Pierce; her aunts, Lauren Denison and Rena Denison Terry; uncles, Mark Denison and Steve Terry, and 13 loving cousins, along with many extended family members throughout Nevada and California.
A Celebration of Life for Brianna is planned for Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, South Virginia Street at Kietzke Lane, at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to her foundation, “Bring Bri Back“ to help bring her killer to justice. More details about the Celebration and how to make a donation can be found on Brianna's website at
www.BriannaDenison.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to O'Brien-Rogers and Crosby Funeral Home, Reno. We invite everyone to visit the website www.obrienrogerscrosby.com" to sign Bri's online guestbook and leave a message for her family.
Poor Brianna! I live about 1 1/2 hours south of Reno, NV and it is so sad to see this young girl first kidnapped and then murdered. I just thought we should all take a moment and pray for this family. And hope they catch this SOB who they are now calling a "serial rapist/murderer."
Reno, NV ~ RIP Brianna Dennison 
