Fay L. (Garfield) Brigham, 84, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, surrounded by her loving family at Saint Vincent Hospital. Fay was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Mildred H. (Person) and Ralph I. Garfield and was a graduate of Commerce High School, Class of 1944. Her husband, Herbert L. Brigham, Jr., died in 1988. She is survived by six sons and one daughter: Gary S. Brigham and Lisa Brinkman of Barre; Bradley S. Brigham and his wife, Linda, of Boylston; Colin J. Brigham and his wife, Jennifer, of PA; Robert A. Brigham and his wife, Susan, of Athol; Barry S. Brigham and Dawn deFreitas of Sterling; Vernon L. Brigham and his wife, Melissa, of NH; and Laurie A. (Brigham) Benson and her husband, Jim, of Boylston. Fay also leaves two brothers and a sister, Vernon Garfield of CA, Donald Garfield of Worcester, and Carol (Garfield) Wetmore of TX; 16 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Robert Garfield of Feeding Hills.
Fay had a strong faith in God. She was a member of First Congregational Church in Boylston where she belonged to Parish Care and Women's Fellowship and also served as a Deacon and taught Sunday school for many years. She was a former Girl Scout leader. Fay enjoyed traveling with her husband, swimming, synchronized swimming, and playing Bridge and Cribbage. She was the bookkeeper for her late husband's home heating oil business. A nature lover, Fay belonged to the Appalachian Mountain Club and enjoyed walks along the Wachusett Reservoir. She also volunteered as a reader for the Audio Journal in Worcester. Fay will be remembered for her positive spirit, even in the face of pain and difficulty.
Services were private and under the direction of Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester. Memorial donations may be made to Saint Vincent Hospital, Education and Research Foundation, 123 Summer Street, Worcester, MA 01608. Please add an accompanying note that your donation is to be directed to the Hospice Program where Fay was lovingly cared for in her final days.
To leave a condolence message in Fay's on-line guestbook, please click link below.
Published in Worcester Telegram & Gazette on October 23, 2011