Bernice J. Fisher Brigham

Bernice was born at home March 10, 1930 in Valley View, Schuylkill County, PA to Katie and Ray Fisher, the oldest of 5 children. She graduated from Branch Township High School in Llewellyn, PA May 1, 1947 and moved to Washington DC in August 1951 to take a Secretary position with the CIA. She met her future husband, Frederick Putnam Brigham, at a square dance and they were married April 17, 1954 at National Baptist Memorial Church with her parents and 17 other friends and relatives in attendance.

Bernice and Fred’s first child, a boy, was stillborn in July 1955. Allen W. Dulles, Director of the CIA at the time, wrote a personal message of sympathy to Bernice, stating “I hope that you will return to your job in CIA and find it a friendly and happy place in which to work.” She worked at CIA until May 1957, when she left to attend to her growing family and assist her husband with his business. Because of her service, she was invited to attend the dedication by Vice-President George H.W. Bush, of the CIA Headquarters Building expansion in November 1985.

Bernice and Fred bought their first home in Hillcrest Estates, Temple Hills, MD in 1963. There they raised three children together, and were active with United Methodist Church of the Redeemer. Bernice returned to work as a Secretary in 1973 for the United States Census Bureau. She was one of the first secretaries in her Division to learn to use a computer and she trained others. Ill health forced her to retire in 1988, and her work was commended as follows: “Because of her maturity, tact, and broad experience in management matters, she has become everybody’s backup in Division management. It would be difficult to overstate the significance of Mrs. Brigham’s contribution to the success of this Division’s endeavors over the years.”

Bernice and Fred liked to go on cruises and travel, and they particularly loved Alaska and Hawaii. Upon Fred’s retirement, the couple purchased a condo at the Braemar Apartments in Ocean City, MD and moved there in October 1998. In spite of Fred’s untimely death in January 1999, Bernice continued to live there and was a faithful member of St. Matthew’s By-The-Sea United Methodist Church in Fenwick Island, DE. She moved to Kings Court at Riderwood Village in April 2004.

Bernice doted on her family in her retirement, and treasured correspondence and photo sharing with family and friends. In her 80s, she was the youngest of her circle of friends at Riderwood. She was always described as a sweet, kind, and generous woman, with an inner strength. She coped with numerous medical conditions the last few years of her life and was tended by her daughter, Cathy, until her death.

Bernice is survived by her children, Carol Ann (Randy) Fry of High Ridge, MO; James Frederick (Rita) Brigham of Hager City, WI: Cathy Joan (Harry) Schwarz of Columbia, MD; grandchildren, Megan Brigham (Ryan) Hanson of Arkansaw, WI; Jennifer Brigham of Allen, TX; Jane and Christopher Schwarz of Columbia, MD; great grandchildren Lacey and Avery Hanson; siblings Larae Clouser, Jack Fisher, Joan Reedy, all of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews.