Pauline E. (Bishop) Briggs

Pauline E. Briggs Athol - Pauline “Polly” (Bishop) Briggs, 87, of 996 Pleasant Street, died Sunday May 15, 2011 at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center – University Campus in Worcester surrounded by her loving family.      She was born June 22, 1923 in Bellows Falls, Vermont, the youngest daughter of Harold and Ethel (Savage) Bishop.  The family moved to Athol in 1925.  Pauline attended Athol schools, graduating from Athol High School in the class of 1941.  Following graduation she and her mother moved to Glastonbury, CT.  She graduated from Morse Business College in 1942 and took the position of secretary to the head librarian of Hartford Public Library.  She also taught shorthand at Morse College night school.  After several years she left the library to become secretary to the General Agent of the National Life Insurance Company branch office in Hartford.  During World War II she worked as secretary to the Director of Group Work and Recreation Department of the Council of Social Agencies for the city of Detroit, MI.  On November 3, 1945 at the Skinner Memorial Chapel of the Second Congregational Church in Holyoke she became the bride of 1st Lt. Gordon D. Briggs of Athol, who was a fighter pilot in World War II, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt in Europe.  One of the highlights of her life was when Lt. Briggs named his plane Polly after her.      They lived in Worcester for 18 years.  While in Worcester she was a member of Park Congregational Church and was very involved in church activities.  She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and also a Girl Scout Brownie leader and was active in the Nelson Place P.T.A.  She also worked in the Worcester school district.  In 1963 the family returned to her husband’s family home in Athol where they cared for his mother and aunt for many years.  Polly was the President of the Athol Woman’s Club (AWC) from 1977 until 1979 and again from 2002 until 2004.  She was also the Recording Secretary for the AWC and Chairman of the AWC Veterans Committee.  She wrote the history of the AWC for their 100th Anniversary celebration.  She was a member of the Mount Grace Chapter of AARP and was recording secretary for two years and also assistant recording secretary and legislation and health chairman for many years.        Polly was an active member of the Athol Congregational Church where she was a deaconess, choir mother for 30 years, a member of the Trustees and chairman of the Trustees during the addition to the Parish House and installation of the elevator.  She taught Sunday school, worked at the Street Fair and along with her husband was historian of the church for 30 years.  She was executive secretary to the Director of Purchasing at the Athol Memorial Hospital for 13 years, retiring in 1985.  She worked at the election polls, first as a teller then as a clerk for over 30 years, and was clerk of Precinct 2 for several years.  She was town meeting representative for many years.  She and her husband were the first volunteers to receive the Margaret Grazis Award by the Town of Athol.  Polly was a member of the Athol Council for the Arts, a member of the Athol Historical Society, and was a familiar figure at the registration desk.  She was past president of the Athol High School Alumni Association and clerk of the AHS Scholarship Association.        She received the Anchor Award from the Athol Knights of Columbus.  She was on the Town of Athol Bicentennial Committee and was on the town committee that planned for the Duke and Duchess of Athol, Scotland’s visit in 2000.  She was in charge of securing housing for the Duke’s 40 soldiers.          Of all the things she did, Polly most enjoyed her efforts on behalf of the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.  She was President for 27 years and wrote the 50 years history of the Auxiliary.  During her presidency the Auxiliary raised thousands of dollars for the hospital.  During the 50th anniversary years the auxilians raised the amazing sum of $50,000.  She also has been on the AMH Board of Trustees for many years, as well as the Strategic Planning Committee for the hospital.  She was highly honored to be a Paul Harris Fellow at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Auxiliary.  This is the highest award given by Rotary International.  She also received commendations from the Governor and both branches of the State Legislature and the Athol and Orange Selectboards for her services to AMH.         She and her husband celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2010.  She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She was an avid reader, enjoyed going to church fairs and suppers and yard sales.  She and her husband enjoyed traveling all over the country in their travel trailer.  Her family and large circle of friends were a constant joy to her.  She opened her home for many family reunions, committee meetings and always for family and friends.  Polly had a great sense of humor and was often asked to speak at various functions.        She will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 65 years, Gordon; a son Stephen Briggs and his wife Mary; a daughter Cindy Jack and her husband Raymond; two grandsons, Eric Jack and his wife Melinda; and Peter Jack, all of Athol.  She also leaves two step grandsons, Mark Moseley and his wife Sherry and Tim Cucchi; three great grandchildren, Corey, Aiden and Kendyl Jack; five step great-grandchildren, Issac, Alexis, Christa, Jade and Brianna.  She also leaves a sister-in-law, Louise Briggs of Jacksonville, FL and several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her brother, Gordon Bishop and a sister, Dorothy Holt.       Funeral Services will be Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Athol Congregational Church, 1225 Chestnut Street, Athol with the Rev. Dr. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor, Interim Pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery.  Calling hours will be held Wednesday, May 18, 2011 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.  at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol.   In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, 2033 Main Street, Athol 01331, the Athol Congregational Church, 1225 Chestnut Street, Athol, MA 01331 or the Athol High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 338, Athol, MA  01331.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com.   $(document).ready(function(){ });