HERKIMER - Vera Bruce, 87, formerly of 305 S. Caroline St., died Saturday evening, Dec. 9, 2000, in the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, Ilion. She was born April 14, 1913, in South Shields, England, daughter of the late Martin and Maria Clark Masur. Vera and her family came to this country and settled in Schenectady when she was a young girl. She was educated in schools both in England and Schenectady. On Nov. 2, 1940, she married Lee S. Bruce in Schenectady, a loving and devoted union of nearly 53 years until his passing on July 1, 1993. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Herkimer, where she had served as chairperson of the White Cross, was a member of the M and M Circle and the church Diaconate. Surviving her are two sons and their wives, Robert and Barbara Bruce of Rome and Richard and Cynthia Bruce of Denver, N.C.; six grandchildren, Scott and his wife Sara Bruce, Shannon and his wife Wendy Bruce, Ryan and his wife Christi Bruce, Deborah and her husband Paul Rojas, Carolynn and her husband Michael Haug, and Dr. Susan Bruce; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by four brothers, Norman and John Masur who died prior to the family coming to America, Norman Masur, George Masur and two sisters, Lillian Thomes and Lucille Cecilia Liston. Funeral service will take place Thursday at 11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church, Herkimer, with the Rev. Jeremy Spencer, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, New Berlin. The family will receive relatives and friends in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, Herkimer. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.