Ruth "Lynne" Briggs

More than anything, Ruth "Lynne" Briggs was a woman with an unquenchable spirit. She had an uncommon fire and energy for life, for love, and for family. She was as hardworking a woman as you'd find anywhere, who devoted her time, her effort and her life to providing the best for her family. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and friend, but above all, Lynne was simply an example to everyone around her.

The year was 1943, and America was embroiled in the struggles of World War II, determined to overcome the dark cloud of tyranny covering so much of the globe. The war's dramatic consequences were felt deeply here in this corner of the world, especially in the Perry household in Battle Creek, Michigan. There a woman named Ruth (Hughes) Perry was anxiously awaiting the birth of her first child, home alone in that cold month of January, with her husband George away fighting the war. On January 16, 1943, a chilly Saturday in the Cereal City, Ruth gave birth to a beautiful baby girl she also lovingly named Ruth.

When the war was over, little Ruth's father returned home, although now deeply stricken from the mental effects of combat. Sadly, George died shortly after returning home, leaving his wife to care for their child alone. Yet Ruth persevered, working at the Shakespeare Company from which she eventually retired, and raising her child wonderfully. Ruth married one other time, and was again widowed not long afterward. She gave her daughter Ruth "Lynne" two more siblings, younger sister Frances Little and younger brother Harry Dodgson, and together the family thrived in spite of their struggles.

Lynne grew up in Kalamazoo, and spent many wonderful summers working at her Uncle Tom my's farm in Leonidois. There young Ruth helped raise the hogs, and learned the value and satisfaction of a hard day's work. She enjoyed that time so much, and often spoke of it fondly.

Lynne attended Portage Central as a teenager, and displayed a natural artistic talent from an early age. She particularly excelled at drawing, one of her favorite hobbies as a youngster, and although she didn't sketch much after high school, she found other artistic outlets. She also grew up with a strong faith in the Lord, and participated in many religious groups as a youth. Always a spiritual person, she would later serve as a Sunday School teacher at Southridge Reformed Church.

Lynne graduated from Portage Central in 1962, and one day met a man named Kenneth Hatten. The two fell for each other, and married in 1962. Kenneth did some factory work, and the young couple lived in Plainwell for a time. Another job change soon brought them back to Kalamazoo.

In 1964, Lynne gave birth to the first of her three wonderful children, Jamie. She followed with son George in 1965 and another son Jody in 1966. After George was born, Lynne wanted to go to work, and took a job at Meijer's, where she would stay for 13 years.

Sadly, her marriage to Kenneth ended in divorce in the early 1970s, but she would find love again. One night at a bar called the "Rush In" in Mattawan, she met a man named Gary Briggs. Gary was quite a smooth talker, and the two hit it off, and married in 1976. Sadly, her marriage to Gary ended in divorce nine years later.

Yet Lynne was undaunted. Her spirit was as unquenchable as ever, and she threw herself into her children and her work. After she left Meijer's, she started her own daycare business, which she ran out of her home at 7761 8th Street, her childhood home she lived in for 36 years. She also worked at Jangula Cleaners and EPC - all at the same time! At times she even worked seven days a week. But that's the way Lynne was: hardworking, dependable, with an admirable, never-quit attitude. She was always so full of energy, it was hard to contain in one person. Lynne was always on the go, and couldn't sit still. She would come home from work only long enough to eat, and then - whoosh! - she was back out, doing something. If, by chance, you ever did see her sitting down, she probably had her hands working, knitting something.

Eventually the workaholic Lynne decided to "slow down" a bit, and just worked at EPC, where she stayed for 16 years. Sadly, she was eventually diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago, and went on medical leave from EPC.

After she was diagnosed, she put the same effort and determination into fighting the disease that she put into everything she did, of course. She became very active in cancer support groups over the past nine years, particularly one at PIP Hospital in Plainwell. Not surprisingly, Lynne comforted so many others in the group, just as she did all those around her. Lynne loved to help other people, and truth be told, she just loved people in general.

Lynne had many loves, the way people who love life do. She loved music, especially country, gospel and the oldies. She loved to watch the Food Network, which was always her favorite and what her TV was always turned to. She also loved to use her creativity and artistic talent in many different crafts, from doll-making, to ceramics, sewing, knitting... you name it! She also loved all kinds of animals and always had pets, especially her beloved Pomeranian-poodle mix, Pongo.

Most of all, though, Lynne loved her family more than anything. She was an amazing mother and grandmother, and took care of them exceptionally well. Lynne loved to go to car shows or the racetrack with her sons, and in their youth they took some memorable trips to Florida and the Mall of America. She was also a fun-loving, good-natured grandma, and if her grandkids made a mess, oh well. She loved those grandkids so much, and the greatest days of her life were when they were born. She'd take them wherever they wanted to go, whether it was to the park or out to eat or to Lake Michigan, camera as always, in hand. It didn't matter to her where they went, as long as they were together. She loved to bake them beautiful, elaborate cakes, which provided her with an outlet for her creativity - and her love.

Lynne was so full of love, so full of energy and life. Sure, she could be stubborn, and as she got older, she got more opinionated about things, but she was also a sweet, loving lady with a soft, gentle voice. She was also a fighter, and never gave up, staying strong for her family, just as she always had. Lynne was amazing that way, and in so many others. Her life, her love and her strength live on today, in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Ruth "Lynne" Briggs, age 63 of Kalamazoo, died Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006 at Rose Arbor Hospice. She was born January 16, 1943 in Battle Creek, the daughter of George and Ruth (Hughes) Perry. Learn more about Lynne, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. at the LIFE STORY FUNERAL HOME, BETZLER - Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive (West of US-131) where services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at Hope Cemetery followed by a luncheon at Schnauzer's Banquet Hall. She was preceded death by her parents. Members of Lynne's family include her three children: Jamie Briggs of Kalamazoo; George (Teidra) Briggs of Bloomingdale; and Jody Briggs of Lawton; five grandchildren: Joseph, Michaela; Tobias, Thomas and Dominick; a brother: Harry and Rochell Dodgson of Oak Park and a sister: Frances Little of Kalamazoo; faithful companion "Pongo": and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. To read Lynne's complete life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Susan G. Komen Foundation, West Michigan Society or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, please visit her personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.