Elma Nannette Weaver, 87, reunited with beloved children, parents and brother on March 24. She leaves family and friends who will forever be inspired by her unquenchable zest for life. Even as she coped with dementia and other health issues later in life, “Nanny” remained relentlessly cheerful, kind and ready to burst into song.
Born Dec. 20, 1936, in Bethel, N.C., to Mary Martin Weaver and Willie B. Weaver, Nannette forged her own path early on. She worked as a can-can dancer at the now defunct Six Gun Territory theme park in Silver Springs, Fla., and rocked life as the wife of a popular jazz musician and, later, an alligator wrestler. When her son suffered a spinal cord injury at age 21, she became his caregiver while also working full-time as a Certified Nurse Assistant.
Always up for the next adventure, she readily set aside those dreams to help him live independently. She loved children, animals, music and fudge for breakfast.
Nannette is predeceased by two children, Tony Starez and Jani Rose Porath. She is survived by children Candee Glover and Barry “Butch” Weaver; sister, Carolyn Vallone; seven grandchildren, including her devoted Melanie Shadday; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned at 1 p.m., May 18, at Compassionate Cremations and Memorials, 14506 N. Florida Ave., Tampa.
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