Ellen Brigham

Dorothy Ellen Shea Brigham
Ellen Brigham died peacefully 6/7/2025 in Shelburne, VT. Born Dorothy Ellen Shea on 3/20/1933 to Dorothy and Harold Shea in Montpelier, VT. She went by "Ellen" and was the fourth of five children and grew up on Winter Street. She graduated from St Michael's High School and attended Lasell College in Massachusetts.
It was in Montpelier that she met and fell in love with her husband Loriman Brigham. They were married for seventy years this May but fell in love long before that. Shortly after their marriage, Ellen and Lorry moved back to Winter Street to start a family.
Ellen always wanted a big family and got her wish, raising eight children. For Ellen, being a mom was always enough, and she cared for the family with love and devotion. She was constantly cooking huge meals, attending sporting events or school functions. Her Winter Street home was bustling as she welcomed kids from all over the "Meadow" and Montpelier. Blessed with a knack for baking and a sweet tooth, she will be remembered for her mouthwatering pies, decadent brownies, buttery cookies and Christmas fudge.
In Montpelier, she worked multiple jobs to help fund her large family enterprise, including the Village Shoe Shop, the Linen Shop and National Life. She volunteered for St. Augustine's Church, The Elks Club and the Montpelier Recreation Department. After her children were grown, she volunteered as a Guardian Ad Litem.
Ellen had a joyful heart and a generous spirit. She relished the simple pleasures of life: knitting in her favorite chair, sipping a hot cup of coffee, or winning a lively game of bingo. She was a fierce and friendly competitor at the pitch and bridge table, and her laughter - bright, genuine, and often contagious - filled every room she entered.
In retirement, she especially loved spending summers at the family's cabin on Greenwood Lake. At the lake, memories were made across generations with her family and her beloved sister Marge Lahiff (Giordano) and Marge's family. Whether on the dock, by the fire, or gathered around the table, Ellen found her greatest joy in being surrounded by family.
Ellen and Lorry spent winters in New Bern, NC but ultimately ended up in Shelburne, VT at The Terraces. At The Terraces, they lived independently for over twelve years with significant support from their daughter and son-in-law Dorothy and Dave Micklas. For the last fourteen months, Ellen was able to remain at The Terraces due to the devotion of her children and the support of Home, Health and Hospice, as well as private caregivers. Until the very end Ellen was blessed with a beautiful smile, a positive attitude and a sweetness that is beyond compare.
Ellen is survived by her husband of 70 years, Lorry Brigham. The love story between Ellen and Lorry cannot be overstated. It was a true lifetime of love that they shared, and Lorry will desperately miss his "girlfriend".
Also surviving Ellen is her brother and Sister-in-Law, Charlie and Patty Shea. Her Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law Dick and Jan Brigham. Seven of her children and their families; Lori (Elling Eidbo), Peter (Kathy Brigham), Dave (Patty Melvin), Doug (Rebecca Brigham), Rick, Dorothy (Dave Micklas) and Diane (Mike Garavelli). Also left behind are her thirteen grandchildren (Nate Brigham, Alyssa Hamel, Evan Brigham, Sam Brigham, Grace Stephens, Paige Ray, Ally Maynard, Madison Brigham, Meg Brigham, Jack Brigham, Elling Eidbo, Thomas Garavelli and Charlie Garavelli), four great grandchildren (Leah, Myles, Natalie, Harriet) as well as a slew of nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her son Edward Brigham, who died in 2000, as well as her brother Mike Shea and two sisters Marilyn Palmer and Marge Lahiff.
The family would like to extend thanks to the Home, Health and Hospice team who helped care for Ellen over the last 14 months. Specifically, Judy Johnson, who was our caring, confident and calm guide on this journey. We also could not have done it without the support of Kathy Yantz who has been devoted to both our parents for many years. More recently, Lorraine Paul who sang her way into our parent's hearts and Genel Walker who was a calm and steady presence.
A funeral mass will take place on June 30th at St. Augustine's Church in Montpelier, VT at 11:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ellen's memory to UVMHN Home, Health and Hospice.