Nena was born in Barcelona, Venezuela to Dr. Gualberto and Milly (Borberg) Briceño on August 15, 1931. Nena loved her husband, family, and friends every day of her life. She was fortunate to have enjoyed living in Caracas, Venezuela, Tripoli, Libya, Hilversum, Netherlands, Madrid, Spain, and her last 47 years in Athens, Georgia. She was an avid golfer and was an original member of the lady’s “Fiasco” golf group at the Athens Country Club. She was loved by all those closest to her and adored by her extended family in Venezuela, throughout the U.S., and across the world. Her life was punctuated by one phrase “Always Forward.”
Nena is survived by her son, Gustavo and his spouse, Michelle Burnum (Hertzke) of Athens, Georgia. She is survived by her grandchildren: Tucker Burnum of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kristen Mammen of Athens, Georgia, and Captain Benjamin Burnum of the US Army in Germany, and their respective spouses: Katie (Cornell), Jory Mammen, and Megan (Hume) and three great-grandchildren: Remi Ann, Icie Belle, and Arlo James. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Lindin Briceño of Caracas, Venezuela and her children: Gualberto Briceño (married to Blanca), Maria del Rosario Dienneman (George) and Mariana Solar (Alexander). Surviving also are her extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins in South Florida and Houston, Texas: Antonio Briceño (Carmen), Raul Briceno, Gioconda Mateu (Leonardo), Marlene del Olmo (Carlos)), Nena Mateu (Rafael), Sandra Briceño, and Sandra Klingler. Family from Caracas, Venezuela also includes Niro Angola de Garcia, Lelia Garcia de Irasay (Jorge), Jose Angola Dominguez (Aixa) and their children. Her family from North Alabama included her sister-in-law, Priscilla Burnum and her children: Lisa Coffey (Harold), James Burnum, Lt. Col. (Ret) Mike Burnum (Christie), and John Burnum (Barbara). Other dear family includes Dorie Leavitt (Jef), Joanna Taylor (John), Jonny Hertzke (Drew), Krisha Bateman (Brian) and their children. Nena was especially close to Michelle’s mother, Lana, who was like a sister.
Nena was also grateful to her caregiver, Astrid McElreath, who provided excellent care, friendship, and love for many years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas S. Burnum Jr., her father, Dr. Gualberto Briceño, her mother, Milly Briceño de Borberg, her brothers: Dr. Raul Briceño and Pedro Luis Briceno Borberg, and her infant grandchild, Thomas Burnum.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 17 at 1:00 PM, at St. Aelred Catholic Church, 4951 Macon Highway, Bishop, Georgia 30621, followed with a graveside burial at 3:00 PM, at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, 3655 Atlanta Highway, Athens, Georgia 30606.
Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or any veterans’ organization of your choice.
Bernstein Funeral Home is coordinating arrangements.
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