1979
2022
Dr. Brianne K. Waychoff, born July 5, 1979 in Cedar Rapids, IA passed away on July 25, 2022 in New York City of 9/11 related kidney cancer after being diagnosed in 2021. She was 43 years old.
A celebration of Brianne’s extraordinary life will take place on Saturday October 1, 2022 at The National Czech & Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids, IA from 1pm to 5pm. Food and drinks will be provided. Please come wearing bright, happy colors to celebrate Brianne’s bright, and colorful life. There will also be a celebration of her life in New Orleans, LA on February 21, 2023.
Brianne was the daughter Blaine and Barbara Waychoff who raised her in Cedar Rapids, IA. She graduated from Jefferson High School, received undergraduate and master degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and completed her PhD work at Louisiana State University. She married the love of her life, Dr. Ben Powell on June 26, 2010.
Dr. Waychoff was an Associate Professor of Speech, Communications, and Theatre Arts at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Brianne was a feminist, a performance artist, a teacher, and a force of nature. She was a prolific scholar recognized both nationally and internationally in Performance Studies and Communication Studies while focusing mostly on Gender and Communication courses within the Speech, Communications, and Theatre Department at BMCC. In 2017 Brianne and her associate designed and launched the Gender and Women's Studies major together at BMCC. Brianne was incredibly proud of the program and a fierce advocate for each and every student she encountered in her work as Co-Chair of GWS. For Brianne the GWS program at BMCC was the culmination of years of advocacy, struggle, and labor by an incredible group of women colleagues that came before her.
Brianne was an incredible teacher and mentor for so many students at BMCC. Outside of her scholastic achievements, Brianne was loved by many people across the country. She gathered up friends in all the places she lived and traveled to and had an amazing ability to make everyone feel special. She is already and will forever be greatly missed by her family, her friends and her extended community.
Brianne is survived by her partner in life Ben, her parents Blaine and Barbara, her grandmother Ruth Otten and Vince Gaffney, her longtime step-grandfather. She was a devoted sister to Abby Waychoff (Dan Murauski) and proud aunt of Orrie and Forrest Murauski. She is also survived by Ben’s family, who loved her as their own: father-in-law Steve (Jo) Powell, mother-in-law, Nancy Thomas, brother-in-law Sean (Cristal) Powell; sisters-in-law Megan Russel (Chris), Katie Hayes (Graham) and her niece and nephew Sophia and Kaison. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers Bob Otten and Ray Waychoff, grandmother Joanne (Waychoff) Gaffney, and uncle Robert Otten.
Memorials may be made to The Center at www.gaycenter.org/memory or www.brigidalliance.org.
Niko Athanasatos
April 2, 2023
I was Brianne's physical therapist at Sloan Kettering. We always had a lot of fun during our sessions and told stories and jokes during treatment. May she rest in peace
Kassie Johnson
September 30, 2022
To say I was lucky to know Bri is an understatement. She was my professor and eventually became a mentor and family member. She had an incredible gift of just knowing what to say and how to say it. I walked into her classroom so unsure of who I was and how I could impact the world and I left her classroom convinced that I was powerful, strong, and capable of anything. All because of her dedication, tenacity, and fierce love for her students. I will miss her more than words can describe, but I am so appreciative that I got the opportunity to learn from her. I love you Bri and thank you for inspiring me and so many other young women. Your legacy will live on through us all. My deepest most heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
Jaye Kennedy
September 28, 2022
Barb, Blaine and Ruth,
When I read this, it took my breath away. It seems like just a couple of years ago that Bri would come over to babysit my girls. They thought she was something else ... probably because she always made them feel so special.
John Rosteck
September 27, 2022
I was truly fortunate to have Bri as a student at Jefferson. Her smile made me smile and her questions made me think. My condolences
John Rosteck
Gwen Gano
September 26, 2022
Our deepest and sincerest sympathy for the loss of Bri. We cannot imagine the heartaches you have experienced these last few years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. She was a remarkable and successful young woman.
Robert J Hanson & Nancy
September 25, 2022
Words can not express but know that we send our Heartfelt Thoughts with Prayers to all your family. God has a very special place for your beautiful Loved One. God Bless
Carol Tralau
September 23, 2022
I know I will never forget the joy Bri brought to my years at Jefferson! Loved getting to know all of the Waycoff family during that time. I hope all of us who knew Bri can find some peace, comfort, and strength to live on in honor of her spirit and spunk.
Christina Lauterwasser
September 20, 2022
Waychoff and Powell family, I am terribly sad to hear this but so grateful I had the opportunity to know Bre "back in the day", she truly was an amazing soul. Wishing you all peace and comfort and sending it with love.
Holly Lombardo ( Maire)
September 19, 2022
Bri, May you shine that fabulous smile in Heaven! You were a huge ray of light! Many fun memories of our time in WSD together! My condolences to all in her family.
Greg and Joyce Gibney
August 24, 2022
Blaine and Barb, I am sorry to hear of your loss. I only knew a young child that had two wonderful parents. I wasn't around as she grew up into a wonderful young woman and doctor. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and her.
Lexa Ennis
August 22, 2022
Bri lit up the room with her contagious smile and laugh. I have many good memories from the Fine Arts Dept at Jefferson with her. My deepest condolences to all family and friends in this time of loss. Sending heartfelt prayers and love - Lexa (Uthoff) Ennis, Class of '96
David Miller
August 18, 2022
Barb & Blaine. I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time. She is in the hands of our Lord and with Grandpa Otten. She just started her everlasting life with no pain or sorrow.
David Miller
Avery Cassell
August 18, 2022
I've gotten a privilege to meet Bri through music choir class way back at Jefferson High School in 1996, & we were in a few musical & plays together. She was so inspired by my talent, & she came up to me and sparked up a conversation like she knew me all her life, & she was truly one of the kindest people I've ever gotten a pleasure to know. She was never ever judgmental towards anybody, & was more than willing to help others. Abby & family you have my deepest condolences. Bri touched so many lives & will be deeply missed. Fly High Bri!! Thank you so much for all your encouragements, & being there for me when I needed you. It was such a blast sharing the stage with you. R.I.P
Ronda & Dorothy Pomeroy
August 14, 2022
Barb and Blaine, So sorry for your loss ❤ Prayers for your family.
Carolyn (Larson) Raymond
August 14, 2022
Blaine and family, my sincerest condolences for your loss.
Bob Manson
August 13, 2022
I am devastated to hear this sad news. What a wonderful spirit she was and is, in so many ways. Hoping Barb, Blaine, Abby and all can find solace in knowing she had a life well-lived and impacted the lives of so many others on her journey. Blessings.
Lisa (McIntosh) Blake
August 11, 2022
I´m so sorry for your loss..Bri was such a sweet person. Thoughts and prayers with you and your family during this time
Sara Mau
August 11, 2022
I´m so sorry to hear of Brianne´s loss. My thoughts are with your entire family.
Holly (Upah) Robe
August 11, 2022
Abby & Family - I am so sorry for your loss. Bri was an amazing woman and such an inspiration! My thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Tobi and Jim Branam
August 8, 2022
Dear Barb and family
No one ever expects to outlive their children. The generations are supposed to pass in sequence.
My prayer is that our merciful God will hold all of you in his loving arms and give you peace as you share your memories together.
Jim and Percy Caviness
August 8, 2022
What a beautiful picture of Brianne. So colorful, as she was. She fought long enough.
Our thoughts and prayers and love are with you.
Jim and Percy
Samiya Edgecombe
August 8, 2022
Brianne was my professor for two semesters. Her and I shared lunch together and I attended the Womens retreat with her twice. She was my favorite person at BMCC and I cherish being in her class and knowing her. She helped me feel like a powerful woman capable of change and growth. She assured me I was not broken because I was lost. That I could and would find a way in life. I had hoped our paths would cross again later in life but I am glad she is free from pain. My love goes out to her close family and friends.
Marcia Johnson Banyas
August 7, 2022
Dear Barb, My deepest sympathies to you and your family on the loss of Brianne. I have often thought of her since you shared her diagnosis at the reunion and prayed a cure would be found. I cannot image your loss. May your memories and faith comfort you and give you strength in the days ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Gary & Shirlwy Keoppel
August 7, 2022
Blaine & Barb
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this trying time. May the memories you shared bring happiness to all of you.
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Funeral services provided by:
Teahen Funeral Home - Cedar Rapids3100 F Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405