Marcia Briggs Obituary

Marcia Briggs
February 14, 1951 - March 17, 2022
Resident of San José
It is with profound sadness that I announce the death of my dear sister, Marcia Elizabeth Briggs, on March 17, 2022 at the Santa Clara Kaiser Hospital from complications due to lymphoma. On her behalf I wish to acknowledge our appreciation of the care, kindness and attention of her many doctors, nurses and hospital staff during her multiple treatments and hospitalizations.
We were were close in life and death. Our parents, Phyllis Lu (Olson) Briggs and (John) Mark Briggs, predeceased her.
Marcia loved being a Valentine baby, born February 14, 1951 in Stockton, CA, where she was delivered by the family doctor from nearby farming town Linden, where our father had his first high school teaching job. Our family moved to San José in 1951, where Mark was hired to teach only art at San José High and then Leland High. Marcia remained in Santa Clara County the rest of her life. She graduated from James Lick High, and attended California State University San José, where she received a BA, MA and MFA.
Marcia ultimately followed in our father's steps, teaching art for 31 years at DeAnza Community College. Her home studio was filled with many folders of clippings for ideas for her classes, which show the imagination she brought into the classroom.
Also throughout her house, there were many, many slips of paper noting ideas, books, people, music that she found interesting as she watched and listened to public media. Marcia was not only interested in many forms of human art, but also social, political and spiritual worlds; the community she shared with her meditation group was especially important to her.
While Marcia had her full share of human foibles, I think of her in happy terms, although I do remember how we tormented our mother when we squabbled over whose turn it was to do the dishes. I especially enjoyed being her studio "lackey". Marcia said she she ranked right up there with the big art world names in having somebody to do her bidding in the studio. I will never forget how much fun we had producing her cards and photographing her assemblages to make prints.
Above all, Marcia loved her family and her friends. She had several overlapping groups of friends, who will join together with family for a celebration of her life on Sunday May 22. Anyone who wishes to attend, who has not already been contacted to reserve this date, may write to me: [email protected]
Alys Briggs

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Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times from Apr. 1 to Apr. 3, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Marcia Briggs

Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.

8 Entries

Marty Col

March 25, 2024

Wow two years already and yet I still think of Marcia often. I will always miss her

Donna Kato

May 29, 2023

Marcia and I were grammar school friends. She was the smart one in our crowd. Wise beyond her years. I moved to Chicago and we lost track.

What a beautiful tribute to an exceptional woman. Thank you, Alys for sharing her rich and fulfilling life with all and with this friend from so long ago. I wish we had kept up over the years. Certainly my loss. It would have been wonderful to know her.

Donna Kato
Florissant, CO

Dan DiVittorio

May 4, 2022

Dear Alys,

I am so sorry to hear of Marcia´s passing. I have fond memories of the times we spent together, and how proud Mark was of both his daughters. I know it is a terrible loss for you, and you are in my thoughts.

I´m not sure when we last talked, but my partner and I moved to Santa Fe two years ago. In the midst of the pandemic we just up and moved, rented a two hundred year old adobe near Nambé. We spent most of the first year in lockdown, but starting last spring we have met some wonderful people, and now the place really feels like home. If your travels bring you to New Mexico, please let us know; it would be great to see you.

Un abbraccio forte,

Dan

Curt Fukuda

April 29, 2022

Dear Alys,
I just learned of Marcia's passing and am sad to hear the news. You have my deepest sympathies for your loss.

David Bethel & Family

April 10, 2022

Please accept the condolences of the Bethel family. What a beautiful photo of Marcia, to help us recall her beauty and grace.

Tim and Barbara Peddy

April 5, 2022

Dear Alys,
So sorry to read in the Obits about your sister Marcia.
We know you not only lost a sister but a best friend.
We wish our words could ease your sadness,
but in our hearts , we know the most we can do
is simply tell you we care and how sorry we are.
If there is anything we can do for you, let us know.
Please, also let us know about her celebration of life.
We could not get through to you with your email address.

Marty Col

April 2, 2022

I was fortunate to have shared more than a year of young romance with Marcia. All dressed up for senior prom. Our first concert to see Peter, Paul & Mary at the civic auditorium in April 1969 after she attended the Rosary with me for my Grandfather. Marcus was great support that night. We spent many afternoons that spring and summer at a park, picnicking and enjoying the warmth of the sun together in the tall mustard. I enjoyed seeing her at our 10 year reunion. I will always have a special place for her in my heart. She was a very special person.

Lynda Martinez

April 2, 2022

I was saddened to read of Marcia's passing. I was in Bulldog Studio @ SJHS with her dad in the 60's & decades later (after our 40 yr '63 reunion) thru him I met lovely Phyllis & their daughters Alys & Marcia. I was Honored to lunch with Mark & Phyllis regularly & to even attend a Thanksgiving dinner @ Marcia's with their wonderful family. Marcia was a talented, creative artist & fine teacher, like her dad. She was devoted to her family & it was fun to run into her @ Aqui's. Heartfelt condolences to Alys.

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