Christy Bromberg, the store’s long-serving head gift buyer and wife of Underwood Jewelers Chairman Clayton Bromberg, passed away unexpectedly on Friday at age 68. Originally born Christy Vlahos in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 12, 1958, she met her future husband while they were still in elementary school.
Christy spent two years at Hollins University before transferring to The University of Alabama, graduating with a political science degree in 1980. Shortly after graduation, she and Clayton relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where she would work for many years as the head gift buyer at Underwood Jewelers. The business had previously been acquired by Bromberg & Co. from Herb Underwood in 1974.
Her obituary indicates that Christy enjoyed traveling with her family to various jewelry industry gatherings, such as the American Gem Society Conclave. AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh stated that the organization was deeply saddened by the news. “A familiar and beloved face at AGS events and Conclave, Christy was known for her big personality, charismatic wit, and her love for Clayton, her family, and the Underwood’s team,” Bodoh said.
David Bonaparte, the president and CEO of Jewelers of America, also offered his organization’s condolences. “We are saddened by the news of Christy’s passing,” he said. “Our hearts are with Clayton, the entire Bromberg family, and the Underwood Jewelers community.”
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Underwood Jewelers announced the news on social media, noting that the jeweler, which has three locations, would close all stores on Wednesday to allow staff to pay their respects. Christy is survived by her husband of 46 years, Clayton; son Charles Clayton Bromberg Jr.; and two grandchildren, Zoë Dylan Bromberg and Charles “Charlie” Clayton Bromberg III.
A service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, followed immediately by a reception at the Florida Yacht Club. Guests are asked to wear crimson attire. Instead of flowers, donations can be made in Christy’s name to the Prime S. Osborn Foundation Scholarship, University of Alabama National Alumni Association, Attention Alumni Fund, P.O. Box 861928, Tuscaloosa AL 35486-1928, The Bolles School, 7400 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville FL 32217, or Ayla’s Acres Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 1634, St. Augustine FL 32085.
Christy was preceded in death by her father Leon Chris Vlahos; stepmother Myrna Malone Vlahos; daughter Zoe Proferis Bromberg, who died in 2011; and brother-in-law Frederick Wilkinson “Ricky” Bromberg, who died Sept. 2. Outside of work, Christy loved cooking and entertaining, collecting objets d’art, cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide, listening to rock ‘n’ roll, fishing, and, occasionally, enjoying a bloody mary or Johnnie Walker Black. She also served as president of the Jacksonville chapter of The University of Alabama Alumni Association, on the executive committee of Wolfson Children’s Hospital Women’s Board, as a member of the Junior League of Jacksonville, and as a board member of the Jacksonville chapter of Children’s Home Society.
