The Oct. 22 issue of the Redmond Reporter featured a story about Rebecca Nanna, a Redwood Animal Hospital employee and cancer patient, whose co-worker Tiffany Langley donated her curly red hair for a stylish wig. Dr. Ken Jacobsen, owner of the veterinary practice, paid for Nanna’s wig to be made.

As a sad follow-up, Rebecca June Nanna passed away on Nov. 6 at the age of 41, leaving behind her parents Carrie and Charles, brother Matthew and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Nanna’s mother wrote, “From early childhood, Rebecca displayed a passion for the rescue of animals in need of help and medical care. She worked tirelessly as an activist to make a better world for all animals, which led her to her dedicated career, caring for all beings. She was motivated by love and willingness to help others by her Buddhist beliefs.”

According to her mom, Nanna loved travel, learning about other cultures and capturing people in photographs.

“For the last several years of her life, dancing became her therapy. Rebecca took ballroom dance instructions and won many awards for her accomplishments. Her heart was filled with joy and laughter when she moved across the dance floor,” said Carrie. “During her five-and-a-half-year battle with cancer, she was able to encourage many newly diagnosed women, making friends with all who knew her. Dr. Saul Rivkin and his entire staff at Swedish Cancer Institute provided Rebecca with much love, care and support.”

Carol Swindaman, lead animal care technician at Redwood Animal Hospital, said the staff there has ordered a stone to be placed, in Nanna’s honor, in a memorial garden in front of the hospital. Swindaman helped Nanna plant flowers there this summer and they placed a stone to honor a hospital cat that had died.

“We are sure Rebecca would like to have her stone placed in the garden she helped create,” said Swindaman.

A celebration of Nanna’s life will take place Dec. 16 at the Elks Club in Tacoma.

For details, contact Redwood Animal Hospital at (425) 885-6666.