Loretta Briggs, 98, of Newcastle, passed away on the morning of Sept. 1 at the Lincoln Home in Newcastle. Born in Webster, Mass. on March 13, 1912, she was the only child of Robert M. and Helen (Tigue) Millea.
Loretta grew up in Providence, R.I. and attended local schools there, including the Thomas E. Tefts Business School. After graduation she went to work as secretary to the superintendent of Rhode Island Hospital, where she met, and eventually married, Dr. Asa S. Briggs in 1935. She and her husband had two sons, and the family enjoyed a summer home in Quonochontaug, R.I.
Loretta played the piano and enjoyed knitting, reading and crocheting. She also attended a weaving school and learned to make rugs, table runners and placemats. She belonged to the Rhode Island Weaver’s Guild and was on the board of the Charlestown Library. Loretta always enjoyed animals, but drew the line when her husband brought home two white mice for the boys…the mice were quickly returned to the pet store.
Following the death of her husband in 1949, after only 13 years of marriage, Loretta went to work as a receptionist at Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank. After she retired, she sold the family home in Providence and went to live permanently at her summer home in Quonochontaug, R.I.
Loretta moved to the Lincoln Home six years ago to be closer to her son.
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her son, Robert M. Briggs.
She is survived by her son, Denison W. “Denny” Briggs of Newcastle; grandsons, Benjamin M. Briggs of South Kingstown, R.I. and Jacob S. Briggs of Charlestown, R.I.; daughter-in-law, Judith Briggs of Hope Valley, R.I.; as well as great-grandson, Aiden D. Briggs of South Kingstown, R.I.
Time of visitation 9 a.m., Wed., Sept. 8 at the S.R. Avery Funeral Home, 3A Bank St., Hope Valley, R.I. Funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She will be laid to rest with her husband and son following the service at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Ashaway, R.I.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Lincoln Home, 22 River Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553.
Condolences for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
