Anne Brazill

The daughter of Anne M. and George Billings, Nancy grew up in Bogota, NJ, alongside her four siblings: Alice, George, Mary, and Patricia. She had a lifelong love of learning and was an avid reader.

During her college days, Nancy led tours of the Empire State Building. An alumna of Saint Joseph's College in Brooklyn, N.Y., Nancy worked as a copy editor for Time Magazine, where an editor once shared the practical advice of sipping scotch to avoid hangovers.

From Time Magazine, she was invited to join the inaugural staff of Sports Illustrated. Nancy developed a genuine appreciation for sports stories throughout her career. Years later, she cheered enthusiastically from her hospital bed when her grandson, Seamus, pitched a “no-no” at Hofstra University.

Nancy met her husband, Bob, on the train into the city. During their 33 years of marriage, they formed a close partnership, with Nancy helping to organize information and manage details for the family business, Brazill Brothers.

Though Nancy was a North Jersey city girl at heart, she and Bob purchased a farm in Pennsylvania where they raised cattle. Her resourcefulness shone through one day when, with Bob at work and the children at school, the entire herd escaped. Nancy, armed with only her station wagon and faithful dog Muttley, orchestrated an impressive cattle drive that successfully returned the herd to their pasture.

Nancy approached her struggle with mental illness with remarkable candor and dignity. During one particularly challenging time, she asked her son Bob to drive her to a psychiatric hospital in Pittsburgh. While enduring a long wait, she sent him to find reading material. When he returned with a copy of the National Lampoon's "depression issue," featuring a darkly humorous cartoon, Nancy laughed heartily and reassured her son that "everything will be ok." She consistently faced adversity with courage, lived with her challenges gracefully, and maintained a positive outlook, often considering herself more fortunate than others.

After raising her children, Nancy worked at the Saint Francis Community Center. She dedicated considerable time to serving others, volunteering for crisis hotlines through CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties. Following her relocation to Punta Gorda, Florida, she continued her service as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul and other charitable organizations.

Nancy's Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life, so much so that her children affectionately referred to her as "the pope's assistant." Though there were occasions when she would thoughtfully remark, "his holiness is wrong on this one," she remained steadfast in her devotion.

Nancy was predeceased by her husband Robert J.; her sons James Burton and Patrick John; and her grandson Robert Timothy Brazill. She is survived by her sons Robert, Christopher (Diana), and Joseph (BiZhen); and her daughters Nancy A. Brazill, Amy (Nathan Wetzel), and Colleen (John Murray); grandchildren Kathleen Maynard, Sean Brazill, He Sing ee (Antigone) Brazill, Samantha Sasala, Cameron Brazill, Alison O'Mallon, Tullia Brazill, Evan, Marlena, and Seamus Brazill, Rose and Sarah Wetzel, Amy Zellweger, Josh Goganzer, and Erin and Elizabeth Rechenberg; as well as her eight great-grandchildren. Nancy is also survived by her sister, Patricia Billings; her sister-in-law Mary Patricia Billings; and many adored nieces and nephews.

The family expresses their deep appreciation for the kind and gentle care provided by the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy at Villa Rafaella, where Nancy spent the last four years of her life.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Drive, Manahawkin, NJ, on Tuesday, March 11, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. A burial service will follow the next day at St. Mary's Parish Cemetery in Manahawkin. Condolences may be sent to our website at www.shinnfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations in Anne's name may be sent to Contact of Ocean and Monmouth Counties or to Cathoic Charities.

To leave online condolences and fond memories of Anne for the family, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com

________________________________________