Nanette Lee Bivens left this earthly realm to be with her Heavenly Father on February 2, 2023, after a two year battle with colon cancer. Nan passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family. She was 65 years old.
Nan was born in Nampa, Idaho, on September 6, 1957. She attended North Junior High, Boise High, and ultimately graduated from Caldwell High in 1975.
After high school, Nan worked in the restaurant and bar industry. After a traumatic car accident, she became interested in massage therapy. She studied under several well-known local therapists and was relentless in her pursuit of knowledge in massage and other health related fields. Nan was truly gifted with healing hands and was always willing to help someone in need of healing through her massage therapy.
Nan married the love of her life, Mark Bivens, on March 26, 1988. Nan and Mark were classmates at Boise High School, and they were reaquainted at their ten year reunion. They began a meaningful relationship one year later and the rest is history. Son Travis, was 4 years old when Mark and Nan were married, and the trio had many adventures skiing, camping, fishing, biking, and searching for new hot springs to take a warm dip. Nan and Mark were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Carly Grace, on January 11, 1989, and son, Jacob Howard, on May 14, 1992. Nan excelled at raising her children and taking care of her family. Nothing brought her more joy! She taught her children many “life skills” such as, canning, sewing, and quilting, gardening and generally passed her green thumb on to them. She seldom missed an opportunity to attend hundreds of sporting events including soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball games. Nan’s favorite pastime was an escape to the mountains. She treasured summer vacations in McCall and any and all water activities, especially when a hot spring was involved. Nan had a passion for life and was such a bright light to all those around her.
Nan’s positive energy and inner light were fueled by her relationship with Jesus. It was the summer of 1982 when Nan attended a Billy Graham Crusade at Boise State University that she made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. As a result, Nan began a lifetime relationship with her Lord and became a witness to so many. Nan’s desire for God’s word was relentless. She readily professed what she believed and lived by example. Nan was part of many prayer chains and home groups over the years. In 2013, Nan started a military prayer group after her son-in-law, Zack McCraney, joined the Army. She and Mark and many others spent countless hours praying for our Nation’s military and it was something that she took great pride in. Nan truly was a prayer warrior and she diligently prayed for all those around her until the very end.
While Nan had an endless number of wonderful contributions to this world, selflessness, kindness, her sense of humor, and overall loving spirit were some of the greatest. In her later years, Nan had the opportunity to work with multiple families as a nanny and was a true blessing to each and every one of them. Nan couldn’t wait to be a grandma herself, and nannying was the perfect preparation. Nan was able to meet her first grandchild, Callan James McCraney, who was born October 9, 2022. Although she didn’t have much time with him, Nan was the best “nana” and her and Cal will always have a special bond. She will forever be with him in spirit.
Nan left us far too early but she left with the same positivity she carried throughout her life. Throughout her battle w/ cancer, Nan had faith that she could and would be healed from the horrible disease. She never once complained and always had a smile on her face. Although our prayers for healing were not answered on earth, Nan’s ultimate healing is her eternal presence with her Lord, Jesus Christ. We take comfort in knowing she is in heaven watching over us.
Nan is survived by her husband Mark, sons Travis and Jake, daughter Carly McCraney (Zack), grandson Callan, mother Barbara Floyd, mother-in-law Shirley Mays, father-in-law Richard Bivens (Nancy), brothers Brian Floyd (Kara), Eric Floyd (Kenna), sisters Jennifer Bates (Jerry), Christina Floyd (Dave),
Nan was preceded in death by her father Lewis Floyd, mother Mona Tafoya, and father-in-law Bill Mays.
Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in Nan’s honor may be made to Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation, www.eodwarriorfoundation.org .