Nila Mae Briggs

Nila Mae Briggs, of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Gilbert, Arizona, passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 5th, 2014 in Gilbert, Arizona. She was born in Burton, Idaho on January 23, 1935 to Elizabeth Christensen Cherry and Leo J. Cherry. She graduated from Rigby High School at the age of 16 and accepted a job with the State of Idaho in Montpelier. She returned to Rigby and married Ernest (Jack) Briggs with whom she had five children. They later divorced. Nila joined the insurance and real estate business in Idaho Falls and launched a career that would last over 50 years. She was an advocate of real estate education. She started a real estate school in Idaho Falls, taught licensing classes on a state and national level and consulted on course material for national publishers. Nila served as president of the Idaho Falls Board of Realtors, as Vice President of the Idaho Association of Realtors, on the Idaho State Real Estate Education Committee and was an active lobbyist in the State Legislature for real estate causes. Nila was recognized by her peers on two different occasions as Idaho Falls Realtor of the Year and was honored with the Life Time Achievement Award from the Idaho Falls Board of Realtors. Nila was an active member of the Idaho Falls community. She was a member of the Idaho Falls Rotary Club, served on the Board of Directors for the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho and on the scholarship committee at the Eastern Idaho Technical College. Nila was dedicated to her family and friends, and was passionate about her work. We are all richer for having known her. A much-loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister she is survived by Kathy (Rick) Galloway of Gilbert AZ, Ron (Jeri) Briggs of Albuquerque NM, Randy (Karen) Briggs of Idaho Falls ID, Lisa (Jerry Roach) of Indian Trail NC and Susan (Nancy) Briggs of Gilbert AZ; sisters: Norma Jean (Phillip) Hawkins of Boise, and Joyce Robison of Rigby; seven grand children: Lindsey, Scott, Ashley, Casey, Cole, Zach and Tai; and three cherished great-grand children. Nila was preceded in death by her parents, her sister C. Kay Freeman and her brother, Rex Cherry. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main Street, Rigby. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:45, prior to services at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery. Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix Arizona