Our beloved Mom, Aunt, Grandma and friend Marina Bibangco Galutan Briggs 86 years young, was called to Heaven on August 9, 2021 from her home she spent 55 years of her life creating beautiful memories with her husband Franklin Briggs for their children, grandchildren, countless family members and friends. She was born on September 24, 1934 to Leon Galutan and Luisa Vibangco Galutan in Mayaoyao Ifugao Mt Province Republic of the Philippines
After graduating from nursing school Marina worked a missionary nurse (RN) in the Philippines for 5 years-during this time she met the love of her life Franklin Briggs, a young Air Force GI during a stint in a clinic at Wallace Air Station-after a year of courtship Marina took a flight to the United States to be with her fiancé-she worked for 1 year at Rochester Methodist Hospital, Rochester,MN-during her life as An Air Force wife, Marina and Franklin lived in the Philippines, Taipei, Taiwan, Myrtle Beach, SC, Loring, ME, Salina, KS and Mountain Home, ID but Las Vegas became their permanent home after Dad retired-they settled in Henderson, NV-Mom worked as a LPN at St Joseph’s Nursing Home for 14 years until retirement-she brought so much joy to the residents and staff of that nursing home
Mom and Dad became members of Unity Baptist Church in the late 80’s-she loved her church!! She served as a Deaconess, Sunday School teacher, member of 2 circles and President of the Nurses Guild from 2009-2019-many lifetime friends and great memories were made during Frank and Marina’s time here.
Mom was also very involved with the Order of Eastern Star-Electa Chapter #5-she was part of the audit and investigation committees and also served as Worthy Matron, Trustee-under the Daughters of Isis she was a Commandress and a Loyal Lady under Gems of the Valley #339-our parents spent many years traveling and enjoying themselves making some more lifetime friends and great memories.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents Leon and Luisa Galutan, her beloved husband and best friend Franklin Briggs, her siblings Trinidad, Manuel, Dalen and Egding and 2 brothers who passed when they were children. She is survived by Suzanne Durr, daughter-Michael Durr, son in law and Kevin Briggs, son (Lisa Harrington), her grands Dexter Smith (Shiyka Campbell), Xandria Bellach(Dylan Bellach), Scarlett Briggs(Tyler Childress), Veronica Sepe(Bryce Sepe), Damon Briggs, Cami Castillo(Rodolfo Castillo), Courtney McQuisition, Michael Durr, Unique Beals, Mikhel Durr and last but not least-a beautiful great granddaughter Briar Rose Sepe who made her appearance a day before Mama passed-a host of nieces and nephews on both sides of the family-you all know Mom loved each and everyone of you-to her lifelong friends Claude and Ann McKinney, Rosa Robinson, Agnes Smith, Beverly Crosby, Cranford Crawford, Tarra, Pastor Willie Lowery and Brenda Lowery-there are so many of you to name but she loved you more than you will ever know.
To the Optum Home Health and Hospice Care Team-we appreciate the care given to our Mama during these last 6 months-nothing was shown but love and support not only to her but for Kevin and I-love you dearly Sandy, Crystal, Shell, Semika, Aisha, Dominque and Rachael-Thank You!!
Also, we had a very special lady to help us with Mom-Thanks to Marisol Henderson who became part of our family-we love you and appreciate everything you did and…to Dexter Smith-I know it was so hard for you to care for Grandma and watch her get sick but you did it-Grandma appreciated and looked forward to you staying with her-I am so proud of you!!
We appreciate all the kindness, love, well wishes given to Mom and our family- it is with great sadness that she isn’t here with us but it is with great comfort and joy to know she is with reunited with Dad and now both of them will be watching all of us-to the tiny lady who took a huge leap of faith in God-how great your life was!!!
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