Brynne Ann BRANCH

Brynne Ann Branch MandevilIe, 70, left us on January 1, 2005 after a courageous battle of almost four years with breast cancer. She was born on December 5, 1934 in Tacoma, Washington and spent her early years in Bellingham and Seattle, before moving to Phoenix in 1966. Brynne was a devoted family person and enjoyed seeing her two daughters; Pam and Susan grow up in the Valley of the Sun and give birth to six wonderful grandchildren. Brynne was a "giver" all her life, making sacrifices to raise her children and volunteering for numerous charitable events. She was an original member of the Women's Committee's for the Fiesta Bowl, was an active member of the Visiting Nurses Auxiliary and was co-chairperson of the "Playing for T.I.M.E." golf tournament, a charity event formed to raise money for breast cancer research. While in Phoenix Brynne took up the game of golf and soon became not only an avid golfer, but a tremendous competitor who was admired by all she played with. At various times she belonged to Moon Valley Country Club, Paradise Valley Country Club. Pinewood Country Club, White Mountain Country Club and at the time of her death was an active member of the Desert Highlands Golf Club and Forest Highlands Golf Club in Flagstaff. Brynne was a runner-up in the prestigious Women's Southwestern Amateur, a participant in USGA Women's National Senior tournaments and in numerous Arizona Women's Golf Association events. Brynne won numerous invitational events (often in partnership with her golfing buddies) and was a multiple women's club champion at most of the clubs she belonged to. She and her husband, Bob were also well known for winning husband and wife championships. She was often spoken of as a joy to play with by golfers of all skill levels. She would always go out of her way to help someone. She enjoyed golfing vacations with her husband and their many golfing buddies-taking trips to various parts of the country. Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, the British Isles and other parts of the world. She was an accomplished skier, great painter and enjoyed playingbridge. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her husband Bob, of 23 years; daughter Susan Mitchell Lang and son-in-law Larry Lang, daughter Pamela Mitchell Hanifin; six grandchildren, Scott, Alex and Grant Cushman and Matthew, Ryan and Kristen Hanifin; a brother, Freeman Branch and a sister, Karyn McNicoll. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Corrine and Emory Branch. The family would like to thank the many doctors involved in her four year battle with cancer, with special thanks to her oncologist, Dr. Albert Wendt and his assistant Diane Weaver who, together helped extend Brynne's quality of life. Thanks and gratitude are also offered to the many personnel at the Hospice of the Valley, who helped Brynne through her final days. A memorial service is being held at the Church of the Beatitudes, 555 West Glendale Ave., Phoenix at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 7. A reception to celebrate Brynne's life will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower St., Phoenix, Arizona, 85018 or to the Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation, c/o Playing for T.I.M.E., 10001 North 92nd St., #121, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-4530. Published in The Arizona Republic from 1/4/2005 - 1/5/2005.