Nancy Briggs Brown

September 5, 1933 – November 21, 2025

Nancy was born on September 5, 1933 in Porto Alegre, Brazil to her parents Leo W. Briggs and Alice Rebecca (Crook). Her father was working there as a chemical engineer, and Nancy was always proud that some of her first words were in Portuguese. From Brazil, the family went to Elizabeth, New Jersey, where she started primary school, and then to the Glendale, California area where she grew up with younger brother Tom. Her high school years were in Trona, CA in the Mojave Desert, which Nancy said was a dreary place and the highlight of being there was playing saxophone in the high school jazz band. Her mother taught Nancy piano from a young age and music always played an important role in her life. Nancy attended her first year of college at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, to study music. She then came back to California and received her degree in Music Education from Occidental College in Los Angeles. She started her career as an elementary school music teacher in the Monterey area of California, then took a job in Albuquerque, NM. It was there she met Steven Brown on a blind date. Nancy knew he was ready to get married as he set up two dates with her before they even met, one of them being to a symphony concert. Nancy and Steve were married in June of 1965 in Albuquerque where he worked as an accountant. The young couple then relocated to the San Franciso Bay area and enjoyed the excitement of the city. Daughter Janet was born in San Mateo, CA in January 1968. After a short stint in Houston, Texas, the couple settled in Greeley, Colorado in 1970 for the next 32 years. Twin daughters Diane and Marjorie were born in November 1970, with Nancy not knowing she was having twins until her 8th month. Nancy was a dedicated homemaker and private piano teacher. She kept busy raising her three daughters and making many handmade clothes, and was also in the Greeley Music Teachers Association and the Fortnightly Music Club. Nancy and Steve were active members of the Trinity Episcopal Church and adult bible study (the BREAD club), and the group took frequent camping trips into the mountains creating many long-lasting memories. Family vacations in the VW Mini van were a real highlight, with trips to California, Michigan and New Mexico to visit family. After Steve’s retirement, the couple relocated to Green Valley, Arizona where they loved socializing and meeting retirees from all over the country. In 2011 they returned to Colorado and lived at the Sunrise Senior Living community in Broomfield, CO. They fully enjoyed the activities and meeting new friends there. When Steve’s health declined, they moved to The Commons in Grand Junction, CO in 2019. After Steve passed away in 2020, Nancy lived at the Solstice of the Grand Valley where she played piano for many singalongs, and then to Mesa View Solstice in 2022. She provided Friday Happy Hour entertainment, until her final move to Cappella Assisted Living in June 2025. Nancy was always up for a good card game, and enjoyed a lifetime passion for reading, including being in many book clubs through the years. She was gifted in needle work, including embroidery and knitting, and in recent years she completed several quilts with daughter Janet as a regular Sunday afternoon activity. Despite many health challenges, Nancy was resilient and resourceful. Attending Grand Junction Symphony concerts and her monthly ladies book club have been very meaningful activities, and her mind was sharp to the end. Her decision to choose hospice after a short health crisis was made with a calm, clear mind and no hesitation. She is survived by her daughters Janet Cummings (and husband Walter Cummings) and Diane Brown (and partner Frank Kusumoto), of Grand Junction, and daughter Marjorie Brown (and wife Katherine Garramone) of Lakewood, CO, and grandson Samuel Cummings (and fiancée Caiden Hobbs). Burial at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Greeley, CO will take place at a time to be determined. Memorial donations may be made to the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra.