WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Susan A. (Johnstone) Briggs, 79, of Williamstown and formerly of Lynn and Lynnfield, Mass., died Thursday morning, Sept. 1, 2016, at the Williamstown Commons following a brief illness. She was the wife of Edward B. Briggs, with whom she shared over 59 years of marriage.

Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of Donald A. Johnstone and Marjorie A. (Hills) Johnstone. She was raised in Lynn and graduated from Lynn English High School, Class of 1954, and Chandler Secretarial School of Boston in 1956. She has lived in Williamstown for the past 45 years.

Sue was employed at the General Electric Company in Lynn as an Executive Secretary. After moving to Williamstown with her husband and family, she was employed by the Town of Williamstown as Administrative Secretary for several Town Managers, as well as serving as Interim Town Manager for a time. She retired from the town in 1995 after 24 years of service.   She later was employed by the North Adams Regional Hospital medical records department until she retired in 2013.

Besides her husband, she is survived by her children, Linda S. Card and Brenda S. Stokes and her husband David L. Stokes of North Adams and Robert E. Briggs and his wife Leanne Briggs of Stamford, Vt.; her sister, Mary E. Amanti and her husband John J. Amanti of Salem, Mass.; her grandchildren, Jason J. Card of North Adams, Joshua J. Card and his wife Jaclyn DeMais of New Jersey and Amanda Chapman and her partner Patrick Boudreau of North Adams; and a great-grandson, Alexander G. Boudreau of North Adams.

She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Jeffrey W. Card; and her brothers, John A. Johnstone and Donald E. Johnstone.

Sue was an avid knitter, having knitted many sweaters and hats for all of her family and their friends. She also served as Treasurer for the Christmas Brook Figure Skating Club for many years, and enjoyed bowling on Tuesday nights in the Women's Bowling League. The family would like to thank the staff at Williamstown Commons for their loving care and support.

Funeral notice: The funeral for Susan A. Briggs will be held on Friday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 35 Park Street, Williamstown. Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours to be held on Thursday, Sept. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Flynn and Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main Street, North Adams. Memorial donations may be made to the Springfield Shriner's Hospital in Care of the funeral home.