Nanci Biggerstaff

Nanci was taken into the loving arms of our Lord on Saturday, August 22, 2020 after suffering a long illness. Her Mother, Betty Louse Linley, and Father, John Herbert Dohrn, predeceased her. Funeral services will be held on at 2:30pm on Friday, October 16 at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. Please arrive at the Fort Richardson gate 30 minutes prior to service time if you wish to attend. She served over five years in the Army and Army Reserves. In May 1990 obtained an Associate of Applied Science degree, graduating summa cum laude with straight As while working a full-time job. By her own admission she was a head-strong, hard-working person and all those who knew and loved her would agree. Her work history included over five years serving as an Operations Clerk for the Alaska Field Office, US Army Criminal Investigations Command, noting her commitment, valuable insights and in-depth experience that resulted in an invaluable asset to the organization. One of her favorite memories, was the privilege of being one of two female MPs who provided protection for Mr. Bob Hope when he performed at Madigan Army Medical Center in 1975. Nanci lived in Anchorage since 1982 and was well known in the legal community as an outstanding legal assistant with exceptional skills. In March 1994, she was awarded the PLS (Professional Legal Services) award for outstanding professional development through legal education. She volunteered her time with the Anchorage Legal Secretaries Association and was an encouragement to all those in the legal assistant profession. Attorneys who worked with her often described her as brilliant in her attention to detail and knowledge of the legal system She was a strong believer of the proper use of the English language and had no qualms about correcting your work. She had the heart of true compassion for those in the world of controversy and often reached out to help them to understand the law, file or review pleadings and what directions they should go for assistance. She was extremely proud of her profession and took great pride in sharing her knowledge with all who knew her. She also loved hockey and was a loyal and well-known supporter of the Anchorage Aces frequently taking friends to join in the fun with her season tickets. In 1999 when she had quadruple by-pass surgery, the entire team showed up at her bedside to cheer her on to good health. This enthusiastic loving visit was one that she often reminisced about. Nanci loved every holiday known and unknown and decorated her office area and home with an array of decorations to include the Iditarod dogs and sleds during Fur Rendezvous. Of course, her collectibles of "hockey players in season were often displayed proudly in their different playing positions all around her desk. Nanci was a devoted Catholic, before her illness attended Saint Andrew Parish in Eagle River taking great pleasure as a parishioner volunteer praying in devotion (often alone) in front of the Blessed Sacrament late evenings for several hours. She played the rosary driving to work listening to it on her CD player. Nanci was a strong advocate for the protection of animals. She owned several black labs over the years and managed to spoil them all. They were her constant companions. They were often described as her children and the stories of their escapades of stealing food, toys, escapes into the neighborhood were a constant source of comment and conversation. Many will remember these favorite devoted friends Kenai, Denali, Matie, Susie and Jake and the adventures she had with them. She was a generous and kind friend to many; always supporting them in their joys and sorrows. Her sense of humor was found in all that she did in life. She will be missed but her memory will be carried by us all in our hearts. Blessed repose and eternal memory. She is survived by her sisters, Elizabeth Ann Hoover, Connie Sue Odom and Anna Marie Cramer all of Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews and her best friend, Sherry Whah, and many other friends in Anchorage, Alaska.