Ms. Gloria "Bunny" Fainelli

In Loving Memory of Gloria “Bunny” Fainelli 

ORMOND BEACH, FL - The Daytona Beach area lost a little bit of its sparkle this week with the passing of Bunny Fainelli on February 25, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on Easter Day in Waterbury, Connecticut, she moved in the early 1960s to Florida, then the South’s answer to the Wild West, which served as her home base for a lifetime of good times and adventure.

In her free time, Bunny pursued a mix of different hobbies that included horse breeding, travel, card-playing, reading, and a not-so-successful attempt at surfing. If you stopped by to see her and she wasn’t home, she was probably out helping a neighbor, chilling with her girlfriends or walking the bridge over to Beachside. A career as a Registered Nurse was a perfect fit for Bunny who always had a natural instinct for caregiving, a compassion for people in need, and an ability to bring “Bunny Brightness” into any circumstance. A lifelong believer in the power of laughter, bright colors, and good times, Bunny was a welcome addition to any social situation. Her friend group was vast and diverse, where she became informal counsel to many. She planned countless birthday parties and girls’ trips well into her 80s, living a life well-captured by this Dolly Parton quote: “When I wake up, I expect things to be good. If they’re not, then I try to set about to make them as good as I can, as I am gonna have to live with that day anyway.”

She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Kenausis, her nieces, nephews and their partners, Paige Kenausis & Michael Barlow, Jeffrey & Veronica Kenausis, Gregory Kenausis & Satu Järvilahti, and Kristin Kenausis & Kong Chiu. She is also survived by those who fondly called her our Great Aunt (in more ways than one!) including Zoë, Luisa, Jared, Owen, Ruby, Maya, Harper, Lauren, Max, and Maria. All of these individuals will do their best to carry on her legacy of joy, optimism and looking out for others. Bunny also leaves behind an impressive collection of supportive friends, vibrant outfits, rabbit-themed housewares, an unmatched knowledge of Daytona’s best happy hours, and enough memories to keep her spirit with us for many years to come.

Funeral services will be held at the convenience of her family. In her honor, please raise a glass, preferably one with an umbrella in it, grab a bedazzled jacket, and tell a few funny “Bunny” stories. She wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. And if that’s not in the cards, we are sure she would appreciate donations made to Family Renew Community (https://www.familyrenew.org) in her memory. Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home 1987 East Main St Waterbury CT has been honored to assist the Fainelli family. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence and share a memory or words of comfort with the family and friends of someone who was important to you on the funeral home tribute page. Please visit our Sympathy Store at www.caseyfunerals.com.