On Sunday, September 27, 2020, Nannette Simpson passed away peacefully, surrounded by friends and family at the age of 64 after a courageous three and a half year battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Nannette was born on December 15, 1955 in Linton Indiana, grew up attending the Linton First Baptist Church, and graduated from Linton-Stockton High School in 1974. She graduated from Indiana University with BA in Photo Journalism in 1978, and an MS in Computer Science in 1984.
She began her professional career at Xerox in Palo Alto, CA, developing software for the world’s first commercial personal computer with a graphical user interface. This is also where she first met the love of her life, Jim. In 1987 she joined Sun Microsystems where she developed an early networked Calendar system, and later managed a team of engineers developing graphics tools for video collaboration and the Java software environment.
In 2000 she co-founded a biotech microfluidics company, Silicon Valley style: in her own garage. She provided the seed capital, was the first CEO and led the launch effort securing $27M in venture financing. When her company was acquired by Beckman Coulter Life Sciences in 2019 it employed more than 200 and had estimated revenues over $80M/yr. Picoliter continues to produce leading edge Biotech research instruments used by every major pharmaceutical company and academic research institute to speed the discovery of drugs for the treatment of deadly diseases including Cancer and Covid-19.
Nannette finished her professional career at Sony PlayStation and Apple Inc., helping teams of graphics engineers to produce innovative products. She loved working with the amazingly talented engineers that she encountered at every step of her career, even when her job was to be the adult supervision in the room!
Nannette loved:
Cooking! Spicy foods. But not cheese.
Baking. Perfected the art of braided challah.
Girl Scout cookie stands (but insisted on the full sales pitch)
Movies; always with a loaded “movie purse”
To be diabolically vicious at Hearts (pass her a club!)
All animals; she never met a dog who was a stranger
Her ‘babies’ (you know who you are)
Softball: a power hitting lefty, strong fielding first baseman
Music, especially 60’s R&B hits
Photography
Recruiting, mentoring and building technical teams
Investing
To be a ruthlessly impartial Pie Contest Chief Justice
Hot tub topics
Modern design
Raising the flag on holidays
Working crossword puzzles in pen (defining ‘hubris’)
Swearing at bad drivers
Helping her friends
Honoring veterans
Sleeping in
Happy socks
To laugh and smile
Nannette will be missed by her loving husband of 29 years, James K. Foote, her mother, Thyra Faye Simpson of Nokomis, FL, her sister, Pam Luellen (Kerry) of Apopka, FL, and her brother, Scott Simpson of Nokomis, FL., her sister-in-law Pat Keig of Orlando, FL, and nieces Devon Luellen of Overland Park, KS, Emily Luellen of Dallas, TX, Margaret Keig (Zander) of Orlando FL, Elizabeth Briggs (Zachary), and great nephew Ian Briggs and great niece Molly Briggs of Davenport, FL.
She was preceded in death by her father, Omer Simpson, Jr. in 1978.
In lieu of flowers, Nannette would have been honored by a donation in her name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or to your personal choice of cause.
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Lisa Brewer
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Nannette & I were Tuttle cousins. We were in the same grade in school & rode the same school bus. We stayed all night with each other several times. There was always a lot of laughter between the two of us. She will be missed.
Kris Laughlin
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Nannette’s service today reflected a life well-lived: full of love, vibrant, successful, fun. A wonderful tribute to a wonderful person. Anyone who knew her and ever got "the look" was certainly fortunate. Gone now….far too soon. Rest now, dear one.
Robin Ogilvie
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I worked with Nannette at Apple and from the beginning of the hiring process was struck by her vitality, passion and keen intellect. We worked together through some tough projects. She was instrumental in helping me understand the latent discrimination that women face daily in tech and was a fierce advocate and won a lifelong ally in that struggle. Nannette was always a fiery beacon, unafraid of confrontation and never backing down from a fight. I moved organizations and missed seeing her frequently. Her valiant fight was impressive even from a distance. I miss her, she was one of a kind and the world is diminished with the loss of her light. My sincerest sympathies to Jim and her extended family. I’ll be raising a glass to her memory and the unforgettable imprint she left on me.
Deborah MacKay
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When I started at Xerox in 1985, right after college, co-workers told me that Nanno and I both hailed from Indiana University, so I just had to reach out. We became friends, attended each other’s weddings, and other events. As sometimes occurs, however, through moves, job changes, and kids, we lost track of each other for a while. However, about 7 years ago we rekindled our friendship. And then we rekindled our work relationship, as Nanno took a position in my team at Apple! It was great to reconnect, but, alas, all too short. Always loved her laugh and shooting the breeze. Love to all as we cope with our loss.
Keith Marzullo
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We’ve not been in close contact with Nannette and Jim since Xerox days – long ago and too brief. I have quoted Nano frequently since those days, be it about strategies for meeting men, methods for sculpting butter, the impact of people moving to Florida (to name three quotes from the top of my head). She was a true joy. My condolences to all.
Susan Clark
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I met Nannette several years ago through our island book club and Jim through mutual friends Vicki and Spence. It was joyful for me to see Jim and Nannette
together, their love for one another so visible and sweet. We will miss you Nannette. And Jim, holding you close in my prayers. Susan
Fei
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Nannette was my virtual officemate at Apple for more than a year. We sat side by side in the same office. Although when I joined Apple, she was on leave, and we never actually met, she was always there as my officemate.: her desk, the computer monitor she used, her office chair, and some work related sw release chats and docs on her wall, right at my left side. I even made a copy of some of her "shortcut" tips which helped me onboarding the new team. To me, she felt like an old friend I knew for a while. Rest in peace , Nannette!
Susan Onken
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Nannette was my first friend. We grew up 4 houses down from one another on Vincennes St. in Linton . So many fond memories of playing in our backyards, summers at the Linton Swimming Pool and the time our fathers moved a shed from her backyard to our backyard! Rest rest in peace, Nannette.
Honie Chambers
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My life long friend, though we talked in depth only on occasion, you were always there. You will always be in my heart. I will miss you terribly as will many. May your spirit soar my feisty friend!
Honie
Diane Borrison
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I am so sorry that I did not have the opportunity to know Nanette "in person" but I learned to love her and admire her courage by following Jim’s journaling on Caring Bridge. I will continue fighting the pancreatic cancer monster in Nanette’s name and all the others affected by this terrible disease. My deepest condolences to Jim, the family and friends.