Daionna Marie Nish

Daionna Marie Nish, age 55, gained her butterfly wings and traveled to the fairy realm on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the University of Utah Hospital, surrounded by her cherished loved ones. She made her magical departure after fighting a wicked curse known as multi-organ failure, before a sudden storm in the form of a stroke gently carried her away. Born on May 31, 1971, to DeVon and Donna Nish, Daionna—known to many as "Day" or "Momma Bracewell"—was the most fun-loving, caring, and generous spirit to grace this earthly plane.

Day was the fourth of seven children, and as the first daughter, she would frequently remind us that she was tough because she “fought five brothers”. Among her favorite childhood tales was remembering how she used her mom's nice cookware to make 'mud-pies' in the backyard. Being the only girl until her youngest sister was born, she wanted a sister so badly that she would dress up her younger brother, David, with bows and makeup. Though she was quite the rebellious teenager who gave her parents a run for their money, she was ultimately a “daddy’s girl” who would do absolutely anything for her dad.

She shared a profound chapter of her life with Robert Helu Bracewell. Marrying in 1992, their relationship beautifully evolved from spouses into dear friends, forever united by their children. As a mom, she kept magic alive, making her children's birthdays and even small holidays like Valentine's Day completely magical. While Robert favored the realm of Pokémon, Daionna was our very own fairy godmother. She was quite literally a magical matriarch and Fairy Queen, affectionately known as Gaga. Deeply connected to the whimsy of Celtic traditions, she possessed a fierce, protective energy; she would have gladly walked through fire for her family. More than anything else in the world, her favorite thing to do was play, dance, and laugh with her two absolute favorite people—her grandchildren, Liam and Aria.

Like any great hero in a fairy tale, Day had her own dark forests to navigate. She bravely battled the shadows of her own mind, yet she never let those misty storms extinguish the light, love, and magic she poured into her family. For the majority of her life, she was the absolute life of the party. When she was happy, she lit up the entire room. Her laugh was beautiful and entirely contagious, echoing through the lives of everyone she touched. She loved fiercely, and when she loved you, she loved with every part of her soul. Her heart and love were so far-reaching that she became a beloved second mom to many of her children's close friends, always willing to drop everything at a moment's notice to help those she held dear.

Day was never afraid to be exactly who she was. She passed that fearless authenticity down to her children and her grandbabies, alongside the greatest gift of all: teaching them how to love unconditionally. We will cherish that gift forever. Her vibrant, magical legacy lives on through her parents, DeVon and Donna; her children, Ariella, son-in-law James, Eric, and DeAnna; her precious grandchildren, Liam and Aria; and her six siblings, Douglas, Dallin (Suzanna), Donovan, David (Heidi), Daniel, and Deborah Nelson (Tyler). She was joyfully welcomed into the ancestral fairy realm by those who flew ahead of her, including her dear friend Robert, and her grandparents. We are certain she is now dancing among the wildflowers and sprinkling fairy dust wherever she goes.

Funeral services honoring Daionna’s beautiful, vibrant spirit will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Bulter Hills Chapel.

Funeral 8/7 12-2pm Viewing, 2pm Funeral Services Butler Hills Chapel: 2695 E Fort Union Blvd Salt Lake City, UT 84121

3:30pm Burial Memorial Redwood Mortuary: 6500 S Redwood Rd West Jordan, UT 84123

In lieu of flowers, donations to help the family cover the cost of funeral expenses would be deeply and graciously appreciated during this time. GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/4038a9002