Our amazing Nannette (47) has moved on to her next journey, leaving family and friends behind in awe by the grace and poise she lived with during her life. While we will deeply and profoundly miss her, we are comforted in knowing that she was met by her grandparents and other loved ones in the early morning hours of July 23, 2015 and is now at peace.
Nannette was born on September 1, 1967 as the first child to Rex and Linda Briscoe in Sidney, NY. She was raised in upstate New York where she lived with her parents and four siblings, sharing many good times and creating lasting memories. As long as she could remember she loved all things music. She played the flute and piccolo in the marching band, the saxophone in the jazz band and also had a beautiful singing voice; she even received a scholarship to attend the Saratoga Music Camp in New York. In addition to being musically gifted, she was also very talented in sports, playing soccer and softball, as well as being a cheerleader. Some of her greatest memories growing up were the camping trips she would go on with her grandparents and other family members. She also learned the value of hard work early on, as she helped with the family's farm.
Nannette graduated from Gilbertsville Central School in 1985 and later that year moved to Utah to attend BYU. There she met the love of her life and her best friend, Alan Willes Ford in 1987. They were married on June 22, 1988 in the Manti Temple and just recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. They began their life together in Orem, UT and started a family shortly thereafter. Some of their great family memories include spring break vacations, as well as their trips to Bear Lake with their ski boat. One of the greatest memories they shared in recent years was their road trip to Oregon, California and other western states. They had so much fun playing games, sight-seeing and enjoying the great outdoors together. As a couple, they shared a fondness for the crystal blue waters, sandy beaches and relaxing, carefree atmosphere of the Caribbean.
Nannette spent the majority of her working career at JetBlue Airways. She was one of the founding Crewmembers of the airline, hired in December of 1999. Throughout her years at JetBlue, she rose through the ranks, becoming a director with responsibility for over 2,500 Crewmembers in both Salt Lake City, UT and Orlando, FL. She has been extremely instrumental in the growth and direction of the company and helped develop the culture and customer service that is so uniquely JetBlue. Nannette always said that working at JetBlue wasn't just another job; it was so much more than that because of the love she had for everyone she worked with ‚ her JetBlue family.
Nannette would be the first to say how imperfect she was, but we rarely saw it - and we loved her all the more for it. She will be remembered by those of us who had the great fortune to know her as an admired wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, colleague, teacher, leader and dearest friend. When she prepared to begin her fight against breast cancer she took to heart this quote:
"If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's to fight. Fight for what's right. Fight for what you believe in, what's important to you. But most importantly, fight for the ones you love, and never forget to tell anyone how much they mean to you while they're still alive."
And fight she did. She fought every single day with everything she had and never let the terrible, cruel disease of breast cancer cast a shadow of doubt on her fortitude and determination to fight for those she loved. She lived and led life on her own terms and wouldn't settle for anything less than making the most of every moment. The pain and struggle she went through only strengthened her resolve to do that which was truly important: spending time with loved ones and creating memories to last a lifetime for those she cherished.
Although Nannette was an intensely private person, she made the decision to share her journey via her blog, AGirlWithAFight.blogspot.com. Her honesty and candor through her blog has been a true gift as she allowed us to walk alongside with her through her journey over these past nearly three years. There will never be another one quite like her, and Nannette will continue to live on in our hearts, our memories, and in all that we do going forward.
Nannette and her amazing strength, bravery and resilience is inspirational to all. She taught us to live life with great compassion, caring and most of all - heart. It's now our turn to honor her memory and the legacy she has entrusted to us to keep alive. Nannette would want us to remember her by making the most of what we have and living and loving life to the fullest. When asked what words of wisdom she had for family and friends, she said it best in her final blog post:
"Waste NO TIME! Do what makes you happy. And, cherish every day that you have. Love you to the moon and back!"
We all have a desire to leave a lasting influence, a legacy to be remembered. When we think of Nannette, we think of her courage, love and ability to be herself; and her smile, her laugh and the amazing joy it was to be around her. She has changed all our lives in so many ways.
She is dearly loved and will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind: her husband Alan Willes; daughters Brittany Marie (26) and Brianna Lin (23), and son Alexander Willes (20). Her father and mother, Rexford James and Linda Sue (DeLong) Briscoe; as well as her siblings and their families: sister Dawn Fournier (Mark); brother Jim Briscoe (fiancée Meghan Mills); brother Michael Briscoe (Trisha); brother Nathan Briscoe (Stephanie); and nieces and nephews Jonathan (Dawn and Mark); Kaitelynne, Michael Ethan, and Isabelle (Michael and Trisha); and Emma (Nathan and Stephanie).
Nannette's Celebration of Life open house will be held Saturday, August 1, 2015 at The Gathering Place at Gardner Village, 1100 West 7800 South, West Jordan, UT. Friends and loved ones may drop by between 5 ‚ 8 pm to share their love and fond memories of Nannette. Casual happy attire (no black, please!) and smiles are required. In lieu of flowers, Nannette has two favorite charities, Susan G. Komen and American Cancer Society, where a contribution can be made in her honor.
Nannette - You will always and forever be in our hearts!!
