Carol Ellen Briggs

Carol was born on May 1, 1939 in the town of Bussum, in the outskirts of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands; 6 months later, her mother brought her to the United States just prior to the Nazi invasion of that country. She grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey and Arlington, Virginia, After graduation from Washington and Lee High School, she attended Bucknell University where she received her BS degree in Biology and her teaching certificate, Carol then took on the challenges of being a 10th grade Biology Teacher in Woodbury, New Jersey, also serving as the high school Drama Coach.

As the mother of 4 children, 3 sons and a daughter, Carol devoted herself to the comfort and well-being of the family, adjusting to the challenges of career related moves, turning each new house into a home with love. While living in Petoskey, Michigan, as the children were in the process of leaving the nest, Carol obtained her Realtor License, working at Vacation Properties Network. Having wide ranging interests, she assembled a variety of collections over the years, Throughout her life, Carol relished conversations and memories. She had a wealth of stories to tell, and advice or tips to give, based on her curiosity about, and knowledge of, how things worked.

More recently, but not for long enough, life circumstances provided opportunities for her to enjoy a passion for travel as an, at first river, then later ocean cruise enthusiast, Unfortunately, a deformity of one of her heart valves which caused her heart to overwork for 60+ years finally took its toll. Nevertheless, even as the complications of her heart disease progressively sapped her strength, she continued to dream about the next ports of call!

Carol was predeceased by her parents Huberda and Jacob Baay. She is survived by her husband of 62 years William Briggs; her children David Briggs, Jeffrey Briggs, Robert Briggs and Cheryl Gardner; her grandchildren Joshua Briggs, Julia Briggs, Ava Briggs, Kyle Gardner and Dylan Gardner; and her sister Yvonne Brendley.

Memorial donations can be made in Carol's name to The American Heart Association or to a charity of your choosing.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 24, from 5 PM to 7 PM at Pixley Funeral Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pixleyfh.com for the Briggs family.