Nona Carol Fanning

Nona Carol Fanning (a.k.a. Noni Bird, Nana, Program Director and Chairman of the Board) Nona 'Carol' McClure was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 17, 1937, daughter to Corby and Nadine McClure. Carol's family later moved to Denver where she graduated in 1955 from East High School. Carol attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Il, where she met her husband, Frederick Nelson Fanning, in September 1955. Carol and Fred were married on August 30, 1958, right here at Park Hill United Methodist Church, Denver. Living in Denver, Carol raised a family of three children, Tracy, Stephen and David. She provided a loving home environment while teaching her children the fundamental value to 'be true to yourself'. Living on Willow Way in southeast Denver, in addition to running a household and raising her children, Carol was active in the Eskimo Ski Club, neighborhood activities and dinner parties. She hosted a Christmas Celebration even Santa would have been proud of. Carol's motto was 'let us entertain you'. A few years later the Fanning's moved to Evergreen where Carol enjoyed the designing, decorating and landscaping required to turn a new house into a family home. One by one she sent her children off to college and later helped plan their weddings. With her children grown and settled with their own families, Carol turned her attention to the winter residence she and Fred shared in Phoenix at The Pointe next to South Mountain. Carol enjoyed Phoenix so much her winter getaway became her primary residence. Carol always loved traveling, early-on thru the Ports of Call travel club and later on trips with her husband, Fred. Travel was her passion, whether to New England, Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska, Switzerland, Paris, Italy, California Wine Country, or just home to Phoenix. Getting in a round of golf or hosting a dinner party during her travels was just icing on the cake. As with most of us, much of Carol's enjoyment came from the small and simple things in life. She was the devoted 'Nana' to seven grandchildren, and she cherished every moment of family vacations, holiday celebrations and any opportunity for quality time with her children and grandchildren. In addition to her family and her friends, she loved holidays, cookbooks and cooking, entertaining, travel, fashion, literature, crossword puzzles, bowling, golfing, dogs, long walks, knitting and relaxing on her back porch in Phoenix. Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer twenty years ago. Carol, never giving up, never complaining, always battling and carrying forward, lived a very positive, happy life; enjoying great friends and a beautiful, loving family. We all love her and her courage. We will sincerely miss her living presence and we will cherish our unending memories of Nona Carol McClure Fanning. Upon her death on November 05, 2005, Carol is survived by her loving and beloved husband Fred; daughter Tracy Spillane husband Patrick and children Nicole, Kaitlyn and Michael; sons Stephen Fanning and wife Julie; David Fanning, wife Amy and children Cody, Hailey, Julia and Sydney; mother Nadine McClure; sister Elaine Wise, husband Art and children Corby and Susan; sister-in-law Barbara Jay husband Lee and children Davy and Katie; plus a large and loving circle of friends. Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago. With surgery, radiation and chemotherapy she fought the cancer into remission. Twelve years later cancer reappeared in the form of bone cancer. Carol took this round on with another aggressive chemotherapy regimen, once again pushing the cancer into remission. 2003 brings her yet another battle, this time in the pituitary gland. Focused radiation treatments removed the cancer and working pituitary, resulting in the need for pharmaceutical treatment for life. 2005 delivers a stunning blow with the discovery of a brain tumor. This was to be Carol's hardest battle. She won against formidable odds but the victory came at a price. Brain Surgery left her with limited mobility and difficulty in communicating. From this point she required 24 hour nursing care. Carol's last fight was against too many odds - weak from the very recent brain surgery she was unable to overcome the massive infection which finally took her life. Never giving up, never complaining, always fighting and looking forward, Carol lived a positive and happy life. She enjoyed the company of her cherished family. She faced the ravages of cancer with optimism and determination. Without bitterness, complaint or self-pity, Carol lived out her life with a generosity of spirit that enriched every life she touched. We will always love her and admire her great courage. We will sincerely miss her living presence and will cherish our unending memories of Nona Carol McClure Fanning. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Donate online @ www.komen.org/donate or send donations to: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation P.O Box 650309 Dallas, TX 75265-0309