Obituary of Elizabeth Phillips Brisson

Elizabeth P. Brisson, age 88, died on January 9, 2018 in Peabody, MA where she lived for the past 7 years. Elizabeth, born October 25, 1929, lived for over 50 years in Pleasantville, NY with her husband, Robert P. Brisson where they raised their 6 children. Preceded in death by her parents John and Melita Phillips, her sister Jane Bay of Cincinnati, OH and her beloved husband of 62 years, Robert. Elizabeth is survived by their six children, Claudia of San Rafael, CA, John of Greenwich, CT, Jane Siebecker of Amesbury, MA, Marcia of Falls Church, VA, and Daniel and Amy of Arlington, VA, plus 14 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and her sisters, Deborah Haviland of Rockland ME, and Francesca Malley of Cambridge, MD Elizabeth graduated in 1947 from Westbury High School, NY then in 1951 received a B. S. degree from Skidmore College. As a physical education teacher, Elizabeth taught from 1951 to 1953 at the Chapin School in New York City. Reared in the Episcopal faith, she converted in 1960 to Roman Catholicism and was a devout parishioner and Eucharistic Minister at the Church of the Holy Innocents in Pleasantville and of its Rosary Altar Society. Elizabeth was the leader of a Girl Scout troop from 1965 to 1974 and from 1970 to 1976 was a member of The Pleasantville Ambulance Corps. From 1971 to 1975, she returned to teaching physical education at Saint Theresa’s Parochial School in Briarcliff, NY, as well as coached the girls basketball team. In 1975, Elizabeth earned her Master’s Degree in Reading from Manhattan College. As a reading specialist, she taught at Iona Grammar School in New Rochelle, NY from 1976 to 1994. Thereafter until 2011, she was a volunteer teacher at both Blythedale Children’s Hospital and at Hawthorne Cedar Knolls, NY. Expert and passionate bridge players, Elizabeth and Robert attained the rank of Gold Life Master. Her joie de vivre included family, friends, competitive games, New Orleans Jazzfest, champagne, shrimp cocktail and a heart overflowing with love. A funeral mass and celebration is planned for Friday, January 12, 10 AM at the Brooksby Village Chapel followed by a reception, 100 Brooksby Village Dr. Peabody, MA 01960. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, MMRF, 383 Main Ave. 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT. 06851 in her memory. Assisting the family is the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home of Peabody. For Guestbook, please visit www.ccbfuneral.com