Vanessa Lynn Fitzner-Brone, of Middletown, died Sunday, December 25, 2022, at Smillow Cancer Hospital. Vanessa, 56, battled intestinal cancer for nearly 15 years before her death. Vanessa was born November 14, 1966, to Linda and Jerry Joels. A Middletown native, she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1984, received her associate's degree from Gateway Community College and was a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor for 16 years. Vanessa retired in 2020 after working in the state Department of Corrections for 13 years. She was a Counselor Supervisor at York Correctional Institution at the time of her retirement. Vanessa previously worked at the state's Hartford and Cheshire Correctional Institutions.

With a sharp wit, Vanessa was always the brightest in the room, in both intellect and personality. She could make anyone laugh with her quick—and often off-color—comebacks. At home, Vanessa loved designing the various flower beds in the yard with her husband, Ronald, and planning vacations to take with her husband and daughters Alexandra and Abigail, across the East Coast, though they almost always wound up back at Walt Disney World. Fiercely loyal and loving, Vanessa was proud of her daughters' accomplishments, including Alex's work in the forensic mental health field and Abby's master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, however, she wasn't afraid to put her daughters in their places, lovingly calling them "wise-asses." Throughout her children's lives, Vanessa indulged in their passions, helping nurse stray and injured animals her younger daughter Abby brought home, including learning how to properly hold Abby's rescued pet hedgehogs, and taste-testing Alex's various baked goods, or listening to true crime podcasts with her while soaking in the family's hot tub. Vanessa loved trying new restaurants and seeing what deals she could get while thrift-shopping with her daughters on the weekends.

Vanessa is survived by her husband, Ronald Brone, her daughters Alexandra Fitzner and Abigail Brone, and their respective partners Joshua Grandy and Adam Hushin. Along with her immediate family members, Vanessa is survived by her in-laws, several aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout Connecticut. She was predeceased by her parents, Jerry and Linda Joels, and ex-husband Robert Fitzner.

Calling hours will be Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a brief prayer service to follow, at Biega Funeral Home at 3 Silver St. in Middletown. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to the Connecticut Humane Society, as Vanessa was a lifelong lover of animals big and small.  To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.