Barbara Ann Briggs

Barbara Ann Briggs (“Barb”), of Corning, New York, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Barbara was born on July 9, 1933, to parents Charles Emory Brown and Elizabeth Ann (Shoemaker) Brown in Ilion, New York.

After Barbara graduated from Ilion High School in 1950, she went on to pursue a dedicated academic career, graduating from Syracuse University at Utica College with a Bachelor of Arts followed by a Master of Arts from the State University of New York at Albany in 1955. In her early professional career, Barbara worked for Proctor and Gamble as a traveling sales associate to gain experience for her Masters. In 1954, she began teaching elementary school in East Aurora, New York. In 1955, she moved to Corning, New York to teach French at Painted Post High School, and later taught part-time at East High School teaching both French and Spanish. In 1972, Barb transitioned back to a full-time career as a guidance counselor at East High School to pursue an endeavor that was her life’s true passion – supporting thousands of young adults in their academic or professional pursuits and adventures. She moved from East High to West High in 1982 as a guidance counselor where she continued to influence the future of Corning’s best and brightest. Even after retirement in 1995, Barbara was called upon to volunteer and provide dispute and grief counseling within the community.

In 1957, she met her loving and devoted husband Douglas Robert Briggs (d. 2010), and they married in 1958. Together they raised three children, daughter Elizabeth Emily, son David Douglas [wife Lisa Demien Greenberg] and daughter Laura Ann [husband Dave Brown]. Barbara is additionally survived by three grandchildren from David and his former spouse, Tracey (Howell) Briggs – Benjamin David [wife Carly Anderson Briggs], Zachary Joseph [wife Samantha Winters] and Jessica Lynn Briggs. David also has three step-children – Colton, Ruger and Tatianna Greenberg. Doug and Barb were blessed with three great-grandchildren from Zachary and his wife Samantha – Catherine Luella, Beric Douglas and Everett Jeffery Briggs.

Barb was a long-time member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Corning, often serving as a Trustee. Anyone who knew Barb could tell you of her kindhearted, passionate, strong and soothing nature. But some might not know that when Barb stepped away from her deeply fascinating book, she was a world traveler and adventure seeker, an avid sewer, an occasional golfer, a late-blooming hiker, an inquisitive amateur genealogist and fearlessly dabbled in technology to stay creative.

Memorial services will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ at 171 W. Pulteney Street, Corning, New York on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023, at 2 p.m.  A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the Southern Tier Hospice, Inc. at 244 W. Water Street, Elmira, NY 14901, or Planned Parenthood – Corning Health Center at 35 W. William St, Corning, NY 14830.

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