Vale Barbara Briggs

September 2, 2019

ABM has received the sad news that Mrs Barbara Briggs died on the 30 August, 2019. Barbara served as National Auxiliary President from 1983 to 1987, and was a committed member of the ABM Auxiliary in Tasmania for many years. Her daughter Jenny Archer is a member of the ABM Tasmanian Diocesan Committee.

The funeral service will be held at St David’s Cathedral (cnr Murray and Macquarie Streets) in Hobart on Wednesday, 4 September, 2019, commencing at 2.30pm. A Private Cremation will follow.

Barbara Briggs was elected President of the National ABM Auxiliary in 1983, serving until 1987. Although she retired as President, she remained on the National Council as the Tasmanian representative.

In the book A Bloomin’ Miracle, a history of the ABM Auxiliary 1980-2010, by Moya Holle, Barbara shared a reflection of her time with the National Council:

“The Board in those days was a large body of about six Bishops, six Clergy, six Laity and Auxiliary Members from Dioceses. In all, I was on the Board for sixteen years and I found this a very worthwhile exercise … “

Barbara was very passionate about the Auxiliary and its Mission (exerpt from A Bloomin’ Miracle):

“In April Barbara began the first of her ‘President’s Newsletters’ which were circulated to members of the Central Council. There would be sixteen over the next four years. This regular letter writing was an indication of the constant and close touch Barbara had with Council members and Women’s Auxiliary groups around Australia.

“This quote from the first Newsletter is indicative of her passion and devotion to the work of the church’s mission, and her understanding of the dedication of the women who felt as she did:

“So much is done quietly by the women of the parishes of the Australian Church. It is really impossible to assess. All the different gifts of the spirit that we possess go to make the whole Mission of the Church a continuing thing. I quote from the ABM Prayer Diary ‘The Church is for Mission as Fire is for Burning.’ – Emil Brunner.” 

ABM gives thanks for Barbara’s faithful and valuable contribution over many years. Our prayers and thoughts are with her family and friends. May she rest in peace and rise in glory with Christ.

 

From left to right: Barbara Briggs, Grace Williams, Lyn Williamson and Rosemary Kellaway at a luncheon organised by the Tasmanian ABM Auxiliary where Grace, the 2016 Youth Ambassador, was the guest speaker. © Tim Swifte, 2016.

Top image: Barbara Briggs, National Auxiliary President, is pictured with Sr Linda Mary CSC, guest speaker at the First National Conference in Sydney, 1985.