Willette J. Friday

Willette Jane Friday, age 73, of Las Vegas NV passed from this world into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of April 7, 2025. She succumbed to complications from emergency intestinal surgery.

Willette was born on August 3, 1951 in Waukegan IL, the second youngest of four daughters to Marlys L Braasch and William B Braasch. Her father was Vice President of Sales with Sears Roebuck and Company in Chicago. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Arlington Heights IL. In elementary school, Willette’s life took an adventurous turn when her father left Sears Roebuck and bought a lakeside resort named the Rustic Haven Lodge near the town of Minocqua in Northern Wisconsin. There, Willette learned how to operate the resort’s Chris-Craft motor boat, water ski, as well as clean guest rooms and wait tables in the dining hall. After four years of being snowbound for months in the remote woods of Northern Wisconsin, the Braasch family relocated to Minneapolis MN.

Willette attended John F. Kennedy High School in Bloomington MN where her academic interests centered on theater arts and creative writing. During her high school years, she performed in stage productions and had her poems published in national publications. Graduating in 1969, Willette’s college years first took her to Hamlin University in Saint Paul MN before transferring to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville TN. After two years in Tennessee, Willette returned to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota where she spent a year in London studying the English theater and attending over 40 performances. She graduated with a BA in Theater in 1975.

Following college, Willette pursued a career in healthcare advertising and marketing, one which spanned over 25 years. She began as a copywriter for a Los Angeles-based advertising agency writing for hospitals, medical device manufacturers, and pharmaceutical clients. With two years of experience, Willette, answering an ad in healthcare journal, landed the position of Director of Advertising for Mead Johnson and Company in Evansville IN. There, at the age of 27, she managed an in-house agency of 30 people. Her team included her future husband Tim Friday. After their marriage in August of 1981, Willette and Tim relocated to Southern California where Willette managed the in-house advertising agency for Allergan Pharmaceuticals in Irvine CA for nine years before stepping aside to raise her three daughters. Later in her career, Willette was employed by Pacificare, a leading healthcare insurance company.

The great love of Willette’s life was her three daughters; Claire Marlys Friday, Meredith Timothy Friday, and Molly Catherine Friday. She delighted in watching her daughters grow and blossom into accomplished and successful women. Willette’s other loves included The Beatles, especially Paul McCartney, all things California, and Gracie the family’s beloved dog. Over their years in California, Willette and Tim enjoyed time spent in the beach towns on the central California coast.

Willette Is survived by Tim her husband of 43 years and her daughters Claire M Friday, Meredith T Friday, and Molly C Friday, all from Las Vegas. In addition, she is survived by her sisters; Mrs. Gretchen Kennedy of Kenosha WI, Mrs. Susan Cezar of Las Vegas NV, and Mrs. Sally Paynter of Carson City NV as well as nephews Charles Kennedy Jr, Patrick Kennedy, Jon Kraemer, David Kraemer, and Matthew Johnson and niece Mary Kathleen Kennedy. Willette was preceded in death by her parents Marlys Lorraine Braasch and William Bernard Braasch.

No visitation or funeral service will be held. A private memorial service is planned for later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals (Nevada SPCA).