Renata Hofmann Briggs MIT German Teacher
Renata Hofmann Briggs of Marion passed away peacefully at home on July 27th, 2002 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Wiesbaden Germany, April 24, 1930; the daughter of Dr. Hans and Anita (Wagemann) Hofman. She helped her family weather the toils of World War II and developed a fondness for America while working as a translator and teacher at US Air Force Europe headquarters. In 1958, she moved to Boston, where she taught German at both MIT and Wellesley College until 1980, participating in their first student/faculty exchanges.
Renata challenged and fascinated Warren Briggs during his doctoral language requirements,and they were married in 1961 at the MIT Chapel. Warrens struggles may have inspired Renata to help modify the PhD requirements to a conversation/cultural course which she taught for a decade.
They raised three children in Wellesley Hills before moving to Marion in 1988. Over the years, Renata hosted numerous German exchange students in her home and pursued her interests in gardening, travel, cooking, and reading. In Marion, she was active in the Marion Womens Club, where she chaired several Christmas House Tours, and the Marion Garden Discussion Group. She also worked as a Hospice Volunteer, Nursing Home Visitor, and teacher for the South Coast Learning Network. She and her husband have been long-time members of the First Congregational Church of Marion.
Renata leaves her husband, Warren Briggs, a professor at Suffolk University; three children, Rolf Hofmann Briggs of Holliston, Wyman Warren Briggs of Cape Elizabeth,ME and Monica Anita Briggs of Boston; daughters-in-law, Laura and Barbara; and three granddaughters, Elizabeth, Allison and Katherine Briggs.
A service celebrating Renatas life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 3rd at the First Congregational Church of Marion, located at the corner of Front and Main Streets.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First Congregational Church Memorial Garden PO Box 326, Marion, MA.