Obituary - Marion Briggs

Marion Briggs died in Mesa, Arizona, on April 7, after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Web, in 1997.

Marion packed a lot of living into her 97 years. She was brought up in Brady and Collins and graduated from Brady High school and received her elementary teaching certificate from Northern Montana College.

She went to teach in Box Elder and met the love of her life, Webster, whom she married in 1939. She was active in many community activities and was a church organist and Sunday school teacher at the Methodist Church in Box Elder.

She taught Head Start Kindergarten at Rocky Boy Elementary school from 1966 to 1969 and at Box Elder Elementary 1970-71. After retirement, they spent winters in Mesa. Marion moved to Havre in 1998 and then lived in Great Falls for a short time until moving to Bridger Peaks Village in Bozeman. She continued to spend her winters in Arizona and loved the snowbird life, enjoying Wednesday socials, walking and feeding the birds. In the summer, she visited with friends and neighbors while '"claiming the stairs." She loved being with family, especially while eating out.

Fiercely independent, she lived on her own and was interested in current affairs. She never lost her thirst for knowledge. Because of her love for books, she volunteered at the Bozeman Senior Center library.

She is survived by her sister, Joyce Merkling of Roseburg, Oregon; and her daughters, Carol (Milt) Johnson of Casper, Wyoming and Mesa, Arizona, and Sharon (Vern) Bitz of Bozeman and Mesa. She had two  granddaughters; two stepgranddaughters; and nine great-grandchildren.

Her gracious manner and sweet smile will be missed by all who knew her.

Cremation has occurred and a family service will be held this winter. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.