Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
MANSFIELD, NEW YORK
The toughest, sweetest, and most inspiring woman was welcomed into Heaven on July 24, 2018, at the age of 60. Mary Jane Briggs (née Putala) was preceded in Heaven by her mom and dad, Sigrid and Arthur Putala; her brothers, Robert Putala and Ronald Putala; and other friends and family members. On Earth, Mary was a passionate animal advocate and activist who participated in numerous marches, including the first Women’s March in Washington, D.C.
She is loved and missed dearly by her husband and soul mate, Bruce Briggs; her daughters, Jennifer, Ellen (Joseph), and Tina (Drew); her granddaughter, Magdalena; siblings, Roselyn Kent, Rachel (Tom) Krueger, Connie (Daniel) Burke and Brian (Vicki) Putala; her mother-in-law, Shirley Briggs; sisters-in-law, Lynne Ornes, Jenise Personeni, Tracy Gonzalez and Nancee Briggs-March; and several nieces and nephews.
Although the hole left by Mary’s departure is unbearably large, her family takes comfort in observing the wildlife and beautiful flowers that Mary taught us to enjoy. We love you more than words can say.
A memorial service, with Pastor Arvo Onermaa to officiate, will be held Monday, August 13, 2018, at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 400 Ingot St., Hancock, Michigan. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service on Monday day in the church. Interment will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock.
Mary’s family asks that any donations in her memory be made to the Sierra Club Foundation, 2101 Webster Street, Suite 1250, Oakland, CA 94612 or at www.sierraclub.org/ways-to-give. Mary’s husband and daughters chose this charity based on the number of petitions she sent us to sign in support of their efforts protecting wildlife and the environment. We promise to continue your work.
Arrangements are being handled by the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home of Hancock, Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com
