Phyllis Crosby Briggs

SCARBOROUGH — Phyllis Crosby Briggs, 95, passed away on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, after a brief illness.

She was a longtime resident of Scarborough. Over the past few years, she lived in assisted living facilities in Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and Falmouth.

Phyllis was born on Feb. 20, 1922, in Bridgton. She was one of five children of Leon A. and Mildred Hudson Crosby, all of whom predeceased her. She had fond memories of growing up in Bridgton with her sister, Maxine; her three brothers, Everett, Lee, and Roy; and many good friends. She was the honor essayist of the BHS Class of 1940.

She was a proud descendant of the Hudson and Jones families of Scarborough. In support of the effort to win World War II, Phyllis moved with some friends to Windsor, Conn., to work for Hamilton Propeller Company, a subsidiary of Pratt Whitney.

After the war, she returned to Bridgton and met her future husband. She married James J. Briggs, of Bridgton, on Aug. 31, 1946. Two years later, with their daughter, Deirdre Elaine, they moved to Scarborough, where son James Hudson was born. Phyllis remained at home with her children for several years. She then worked for the Scarborough hot lunch program, the town clerk's office, and retired from the Town of Scarborough tax assessor's office.

Phyllis’ first love was her family. She was proud of her children’s accomplishments. She and her husband adored their three grandchildren and looked forward to their visits. To her numerous nieces and nephews, she was the Card Lady, as she remembered every birthday and anniversary with a handwritten card.

She and her husband loved to go dancing with friends and enjoyed exploring the coast of Maine from Ogunquit to Bar Harbor. They also enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, California, Las Vegas, Williamsburg, and Niagara Falls.

Phyllis was predeceased by her husband, James, in 2013.

She is survived by daughter Deirdre E. Thornton of Scarborough; son James H. Briggs, M.D. of Adrian, Mich.; two grandsons, granddaughter and three great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was laid to rest in the Black Point Cemetery in Scarborough. A memorial gathering will be scheduled in the spring. Arrangements are under the guidance of Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.hobbsfuneralhome.com

Memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html