DR. JEAN L. BRIGGS

BRIGGS, Dr. Jean L. Passed away at the age of 87 on July 27, 2016 in the company of her brother Hod and sister-in-law Mary Ann at St. Clare's Hospital. An eminent anthropologist and ardent environmentalist, Jean lived the principles of conservation of nature in her life, living simply and preserving lands for conservation.

She grew up in Newton, MA, and during her lifetime she lived in New Hampshire, Maine, Israel, Siberia, Alaska, Italy, and Nunavut. She was an indomitable researcher who came to the MUN Department of Anthropology in 1967 where she remained for 47 years, settling in Maddox Cove and completing a dictionary of Utkuhiksalingmiut Inuktitut - a major contribution to the preservation of the Utku language. Jean was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and received a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society for Psychological Anthropology. Her books Never in Anger and Inuit Morality Play are highly respected in the field of anthropology.

Jean was anything but ordinary, and this was reflected in everything she wrote, said, or did. In later years she enjoyed her ocean view, birds, and her friends and neighbours who would often stop in for a visit and help her out with chores. She was fond of interesting conversation, and was known for her sharp and witty emails to people she valued all over the world. She recently said that people remember what is important to them; Jean will be remembered by colleagues, former students, neighbours, and friends near and far.

Jean was predeceased by her parents, Margaret Worcester Briggs and Horace Wilkinson Briggs. She is survived by her three younger siblings, Bill (Jean), Hod (Mary Ann) and Meg, as well as three generations of nieces and nephews. She will be especially missed by close friends, colleagues and former students at Memorial University.

Friends and colleagues may visit the family at Carnell's Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on Saturday, July 30th from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. To send a message of condolence or to sign the memorial guestbook, please visit www.carnells.com