Obituary of Bridget Helen Gunn
Bridget Helen Gunn, 36, of Phillipsburg, NJ, amazing wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to so many, passed away from cancer on Friday, May 16, 2025 surrounded by the love of her family.
Born June 4, 1988, Bridget grew up in Bridgewater, NJ. At two years old, she was diagnosed with a very rare type of kidney cancer. After a successful surgery at Hackensack Meridian Health, Bridget enjoyed a fulfilling childhood. Growing up, she loved spending time with her younger sister Kelsey and all her neighborhood friends. Bridget adored her family and loved making memories down the shore in Manasquan with her many cousins, aunts, and uncles. She especially loved going to Gee Gee’s and playing arcade games on the boardwalk.
After graduating from Bridgewater-Raritan High School in 2006, Bridget attended Springfield College in Massachusetts for two years before transferring to Montclair State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Child Life Studies. Bridget carried her passion for supporting young people into everything she did. She continued her education at Rutgers University where she received her Master’s Degree in Social Work. Bridget dedicated her professional life to helping others, working as a Case Manager and Care Coordinator at Lafayette College, where her compassion and commitment made a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.
Bridget met her husband Brian in 2016 while he was stationed at Fort Dix as a Marine. They bonded over their love of baseball, travel, and dogs. They dated for two years before Brian proposed to Bridget on a trip to Charleston, SC. They tied the knot outdoors on a sunny day at The Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge, NJ, on August 31, 2019, accompanied by so much love and joy. Bridget and Brian then bought their home in Phillipsburg, NJ where they lived happily with their dogs.
She was a proud and loyal fan of all Boston sports teams, especially the Red Sox. Bridget had very fond memories of skipping school to go to the 2004 World Series parade in Boston. She also rarely missed a Notre Dame Women’s Basketball game. Live music was another one of her passions and Bridget went to as many concerts as she could to see her favorite artists like Taylor Swift, John Mayer, and Miranda Lambert. She especially enjoyed traveling to Nashville for the music scene and to visit the Grand Ole Opry.
Above all, Bridget loved her family deeply and shared a special bond with her dogs Boston, Murphy, and Finn, who brought her constant joy and companionship. She was always there to support her friends and family and was constantly checking in with her loved ones just to see how they were doing.
In June of 2024 Bridget was diagnosed with Epithelioid Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer affecting the lining of her abdomen. The strength and resilience that she showed in the face of this diagnosis amazed everyone who knew her. While receiving treatment this past year she was still there for her family, and helped plan her sister’s wedding and baby shower. Bridget will be remembered for her humor, generous heart, and loving personality.
Bridget is survived by her loving husband, Brian Gunn; her parents, Brian and Jill Donovan; her sister, Kelsey Turcott; and her niece, Hannah Turcott.
A visitation will be held at Higgins Home for Funerals in Watchung, NJ on Friday, May 23 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Bridget’s memory to Hackensack Meridian Health. Donations can be made here: Tackle Kids Cancer
