Obituary of Ruth Briere

Ruth Theresa Briere, passed away peacefully in her home of 56 years in Burlington, on Friday morning, March 24, 2017. Ruth was 95 years old, yet never lost her sense of humor. She was not only a faithful wife, mother and Grandmother, She was a friend to all, and brought pure joy to all who met her. Ruth loved her sports, and could carry on a conversation about the Patriots, and many other sports teams, as well as anyone. Born in Medford, the daughter of Charles and Angelina McCarthy, she grew up and was a graduate of Medford High School. She furthered her education at Malden School of Business. She then met and married the one true love of her life, Edward J. Briere. They married in 1947 and together, raised a family of eight children. in 1960 as their family grew, they moved to Burlington. Ruth was familiar with Burlington, because as a child, her family vacationed in Billerica. The Briere home, with 8 active children, was always a rather busy place. Children's friends were always welcome, Ruth loved getting to know them all. Ruth was a stay at home Mom, which means she worked 24/7. Running the household was indeed a full time job, but Ruth didn't see it as a job. She was raising a family with her husband, Eddie...teaching each one of her children the true values of life. Sure, some days may have seemed chaotic, but she relished in the confusion. Ruth, along with her husband, Eddie, sacrificed everything of herself for the betterment of her children. Ruth was truly a loving and caring soul, with a smile that could warm anyone's heart she met. Ruth always had family first, doing whatever was needed, including getting the kids to their activities and sports, and yes, making sure everyone was fed. She was blessed to have had 18 grandchildren and then seeing the births of 8 more great grandchildren. She loved when she was surrounded by her family, and treasured the memories. Ruth had a strong catholic faith, a faith that never wavered. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Margaret’s Church in Burlington, but regularly attended St. Mary’s Church in Billerica for daily mass. When she wasn’t able to attend daily mass, she would watch it on television. She was a strong believer in the rosary and the power of prayer. She used her silver rosary beads, which were a gift from her husband when they were still dating, and she prayed every day. Her morning prayers for all the ones she loved, would take up the first hour of her day, everyday. Whenever a child, grandchild, or great grandchild had a big test, game, or tough decision, Ruth would take out her rosaries and intercede on their behalf. It was her strong faith that has carried her in recent years and she was confident that in her passing she would be reunited with her husband, Ed, her son Doug, grandson Joey, her parents, and siblings, which she so dearly missed. Ruth was the beloved wife of the late Edward J. Briere. She was the loving mother of Jane Cauger & her husband James of Mashpee & Vero Beach, FL, Charles & his wife Linda of Woburn, Patricia Hartung & her husband Robert of Burlington, John & his wife Debra of Londonderry, NH, Judith Geoffroy of Aurora, CO, Arthur of San Jose, CA, Alan & his wife Patricia of Woburn, and the late Douglas. She was predeceased by her siblings; Helen Mannix, Mildred, Charles, John & Edward McCarthy. She was the proud grandmother of 18 and great grandmother of 8. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Wednesday, March 29 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ruth’s name may be made to the Joseph Briere Foundation, P.O. Box 147, Woburn, MA 01801. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.stmargaretburlington.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net