Eloise Bridgman

Eloise M. Bridgman

1926-2013 PITTSFIELD Eloise Moses Bridgman, 87, died Saturday, April 6 at the home of her son Phillip Bridgman in Potsdam, N.Y. after a yearlong battle with cancer. She and her husband, Arthur, were residents of Pittsfield from 1959 until 1985 when he retired from GE and they moved back to her original home of Pittsboro, North Carolina.

She was born January 7, 1926 in Jonesboro, N.C., to Edwin F. Moses and Sallie Juanita (Glosson) who started life as share-croppers in rural North Carolina. She graduated from Goldston (N.C.) High School.

She was a trained vocalist, having studied at Greensboro Women's College and then under a private voice teacher for most of the years she lived in Pittsfield. She was a mezzo soprano, often singing solos or duets at Grace Church Congregational in Pittsfield where she and her husband were long-time members. She later played the piano for Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where she was a member until her death.

In her early 20's she lived and worked in Chapel Hill, N.C., and was a friend of Andy Griffith who was then a student at UNC and a fellow choir member. It was in Chapel Hill that she met her husband, Arthur L. Bridgman while he was a graduate student in chemistry. They were married July 9, 1948.

Eloise was also a quilter. She made numerous quilts for each of her five sons, all of her grandchildren, and even some of her great-grandchildren.

Eloise was always characterized by deep faith in her Lord Jesus Christ and a genuine concern for people. The integrity of her name was always of supremely more value than personal possessions or recognition.

She was predeceased by her husband Arthur in 1999, by her three brothers, and by three grandchildren.

She is survived by a sister, Mabel Packer, of Virginia Beach, Va.; her five sons, Arthur Bridgman Jr. and his wife Chin Sun of Roseboro, N.C., the Rev. Thomas Bridgman and his wife Charleen of Pittsfield, Dr. Phillip Bridgman and his wife Donna-Jean of Potsdam, N.Y., James Bridgman and his wife Regina of Pittsboro, N.C., and Dr. Bruce Bridgman and his wife Jeanne Yang of Crofton, Md, as well as 13 grandchildren (including Ian Bridgman of Pittsfield, and Rachel (Bridgman) O'Marra of New York); 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Cedar Grove Methodist Church in Pittsboro, N.C. in May, with burial at the Cedar Grove cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Grace Church Congregational in Pittsfield, Mass.