Obituary of Elaine M. (MacLaren) Briggs

Elaine M. (MacLaren) Briggs, 84, of Peabody, beloved wife of the late Kenneth H. Briggs, died peacefully Monday evening at the Masconomet Nursing Home in Topsfield following a brief illness. Born in Saugus, she was the daughter of the late William and Viola (Hughes) MacLaren. She was raised and educated in Saugus and was a graduate of Saugus High School, class of 1943. She has lived in Peabody for the past 56 years. Elaine attended Salem Hospital School of Nursing and later North Shore Community College where she received her R.N. Degree in 1972. She worked for many years as a Registered Nurse at the former J.B. Thomas Hospital, and later with the American Red Cross Blood Program in Peabody before retiring. Elaine was a long time active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Peabody and was the first female Eucharistic Minister. She was a Past Worthy Matron of the Peabody Chapter Order of Eastern Star. Elaine volunteered for Haven from Hunger and served on the Board of Directors of Sutton Home in Peabody. She also was an Ombudsman with the North Shore Elders Services and member of the Peabody Women’s Club. She is survived by her loving children, Karen J. Mahoney of Princeton, Janice Briggs of Peabody and Richard and his wife Joyce Briggs of Amesbury, her brother William and his wife Jacqueline MacLaren of Palmyra, ME, her sister Susan and her husband Edward Harnden of Groveland, and is also survived by her grandchildren, Jeffrey Mahoney of Rochester, NY, Brian Mahoney of Brockton, and Kyle Briggs of Amesbury, a great granddaughter, Kaylyn Mahoney-Hickey, and also by several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Allyn, John, and Lawrence MacLaren. Visiting hours for Elaine will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Her Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 10:30 AM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Washington St., Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to either, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 12 Washington St., Peabody, MA 01960, North Shore Elder Services, 152 Sylvan St, Danvers, MA 01923 or Haven from Hunger, 72 Wallis St., Peabody, MA 01960