Nancy L. Birch

Nancy Louise Birch aka “Nunu”, 79, passed away unexpectedly on Monday July 22, 2024 at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. (Please forget you read her middle name and age, both things she didn’t really like to talk about.)

Nancy was born in San Francisco, California to Lucille and Virgil Naser on January 14, 1945. Daughter to an Army Lt Col, Nancy moved around a lot growing up and often shared stories of her time in Ethiopia and other parts of the world. Eventually, they settled down in Boise, Idaho where Nancy spent the rest of her life. 

Nancy’s big heart, kindness, and desire to care for others lead her to a career as Registered Nurse. After completing her education at Boise Junior College (now called Boise State University), she began her work as a nurse at Saint Luke’s Medical Center where she held several roles during her time there, including ICU nurse and Head Nurse in the Coronary Care Unit. 

Nancy had many talents. One talent was bowling. She joined a hospital bowling league which included bowlers from Saint Luke’s, Saint Alphonsus, and the VA Medical Center. Not only did she win many trophies during her time on the bowling league, that is also where she met David (Dave) Birch. They married and had two daughters, Heather and Michele. 

After the birth of their second daughter, Michele, Nancy retired from nursing and became a full-time mom and avid volunteer. She volunteered at Saint Alphonsus, working in the gift shop for many years. Nancy also volunteered at her daughters’ elementary school library. This is when she discovered her knack for tending books. Her years of volunteering in the library continued long after her girls were out of elementary school and included volunteering as the librarian at King of Glory Lutheran Church.

Nancy also enjoyed her time working at Season’s of Idaho and Easy Cookin’ where her affinity for kitchen gadgets began. She made sure that her daughters had all the cooking and kitchen supplies they could possibly need to be successful in the kitchen. 

In more recent years, Nancy enjoyed meeting with her Book Club friends. Because she didn’t get to see her friends often, the times she was able to spend with them were very special to her. She cherished her friendships, many of them lasting multiple decades.

Family was priority to Nancy. Her love for Dave, husband of 49 years, was obvious in the way she bantered back and forth with him, ensured he always had what he needed (only the cleanest, most perfectly folded laundry, of course), always knowing where his lost items could be found, and always thinking about him whenever she wasn’t with him. Her daughters couldn’t have asked for a better mom, she truly was the best. She knew exactly what they needed, even when they didn’t. She knew when to be tough and when to be gentle. The influence Nancy had on her daughters is visible every day. She welcomed her son-in-law Mike into the family with open arms, she loved to be silly with him and they joked with each other often. Her two grand dogs, Franklin and Maggie brought smiles to her face. She was grateful for them watching over Michele and they always managed to do something that would make Nancy smile and laugh. Nancy loved her whole family, but the light of her life was her grandson Braxton. She adored him and their special connection. She would enthusiastically talk about the times they spent together and the projects they worked on. Also of importance to Nancy were her nieces and nephews. She was so proud of each of them and their accomplishments. 

Nancy will be missed by everyone whose life she touched. Her passing has left an emptiness in her family that can’t be replaced. She was the matriarch of the family, the one who was strong when others weren’t able to be, the one who could think clearly when others couldn’t, the one who could find kindness and compassion when it was too difficult for others. 

Survived by husband David Birch, daughter Heather and son-in-law Mike Johnson, daughter Michele Birch, grandson Braxton Johnson, and grand dogs Franklin and Magnolia Birch, sisters Janet Neville and Phyllis Conner.

Preceded in death by parents Virgil and Lucille (Lulu) Naser and brother Martin Naser.

Graveside service will be held at Dry Creek Cemetery on Friday, September 6th at 10am.

Celebration of Life for Nancy will be held at noon, following the graveside service at: Chateau des Fleurs, 176 S. Rosebud Ln., Eagle, ID 83616

If you have any photos of Nancy, please send them to CelebrateNancyB@gmail.com by August 23rd. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Nancy's name to: King of Glory Lutheran Church, Boise Rescue Mission, or Life's Kitchen.