Amy Elizabeth Colby

NOTTINGHAM - Amy Elizabeth (Annis) Colby, 32, of Nottingham, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 25, 2012, at Brigham and Women's Hospital after a courageous four year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Amy was surrounded by the friends and family who knew and loved her best.

Amy grew up in Gilmanton, graduating from Gilford High School in 1998. She then moved to Boston, graduating from Suffolk University in 2002 and began her career in law as a paralegal. Pursuing her passion for law, Amy then attended Massachusetts School of Law, graduating in 2010.

While in law school, Amy met the love of her life Officer David Colby of the Portsmouth Police Department. Her commitment to her family led her back to New Hampshire. She, David and his two children settled on the Seacoast, bought a house and began to build their life together. Amy and David married in August of 2011.

Amy was never idle. In her downtime, she embraced her artistic eye, crafting homemade sentiments that would preserve her fondest memories of her friends and family. The house she shared with David quickly became a galleria of her most treasured memories and crafts.

One of Amy's greatest pleasures in life was seeing the excitement and joy that she could generate in someone else. She often splurged on her family and friends, showering them with gifts of her favorite things. Even when she was struggling through the most trying days of her disease, her concern and love was always directed toward those closest to her.

Amy was a vivacious and passionate woman, her enthusiasm for life infectious. She was a devoted wife, a loving stepmother, an irreplaceable daughter, an unbelievable sister, an adoring aunt and a loyal friend to many.

Amy is survived by her loving husband, David and stepchildren Madison and Parker Colby of Nottingham; her parents Anne and Andrew Bartlett of Gilmanton and Randy and Mia Annis of Laconia; her sister Samantha and husband Adam Hawkins of Gilmanton; nephew Owen Hawkins of Gilmanton; her brother, Stephen Bartlett of Gilmanton; her brother, Geremy Annis of Laconia; her sister, Lydia Bartlett of Gilmanton, maternal grandfather Roland Mailloux of Laconia; paternal grandmother Barbara Annis of Laconia; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Amy was pre-deceased by her paternal grandfather, James Annis of Gilford in 1997; and her maternal grandmother, Angela Mailloux of Laconia in 2012.

The family would like to thank the Lakes Region and Seacoast communities for their continued support during Amy's fight against breast cancer as well as acknowledge the outstanding care that she received at Dana Farber and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston during the course of her illness.

A celebration of Amy's life, for all those who would like to attend, will be held Sunday, October 7th, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Four Corners Brick House located at 525 Province Road in Gilmanton.

A donation in lieu of flowers can be made to: Friends of Amy, Bank of New Hampshire, 62 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246.