Obituary of Barbara D. Briggs

Barbara D. Briggs, 83, of Mountain Lakes, NJ, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2016. Born on July 4th, 1932, in Glen Ridge, NJ to Charles Nathan Downs and the Dorothy Lydia Cooper, Barbara was raised in West Caldwell, NJ, before moving to Mountain Lakes where she resided for more than 50 years. After graduating from Grover Cleveland High School in Caldwell, Barbara attended Vermont College, receiving her degree in 1952. She furthered her education at Rutgers University continuing to take classes even after she began her career. Barbara worked in the Patent Department for Shering-Plough in various locations around New Jersey, including Bloomfield, Madison and Kenilworth. In retirement she enjoyed a successful career in Real Estate. Barbara was a long-time member of The Community Church of Mountain Lakes and active in the Mountain Lakes Women's Club, for which she created and edited the Mountain Lakes Residential Telephone Directory for more than 25 years. Barbara was forever active and athletic, and began her life-long love of downhill skiing during her college days in Vermont. She instilled a love of the sport to her son, nieces and nephews, and eventually her two grandsons. Barbara was a member of Rockaway River Country Club, where she held a regular tee-time, and at the age of 67, achieved a hole in one during a tournament in 1999. She was predeceased by her husband, Francis Allen Briggs, Jr., in 1980. Surviving are her devoted son, Peter Briggs and his wife Dawn; twin grandsons, Anderson and Brady; loving companion, Peter Ibsen; dear brother, Frederick L. Downs; Jeff and Rick Briggs; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and numerous friends. Visitation will be held in the Codey & Mackey Funeral Home, 107 Essex Avenue, Boonton, NJ on Wednesday, March 23rd from 2-4pm & 6-8pm. A Funeral Service will take place at The Community Church, 48 Briarcliff Road, Mountain Lakes on Thursday, March 24th at 10:00am. The interment will follow at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, NJ. To share a memory or extend condolences, please visit www.codeymackeyfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Myositis Association, 1737 King St., Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314 (www.myositis.org) would be deeply appreciated.