Joan Greco Briggson

Sept. 29, 1929 - Feb. 6, 2017

Joan Briggson of Menlo Park is honored on this one year Anniversary of her passing, February 6, 2017. She was surrounded by her family and the prayers from so many who loved her.

Joan was born in Omaha, Nebraska then moved to Hillsborough, California with her parents, Sebastian J. Greco and Mary Catania Greco. She really loved being part of her large, extended Italian family, and spent most of her younger and later years extremely close to her five aunts, and many beloved cousins.

She attended Notre Dame High School, and San Jose State, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. Following college, Joan was a 1st grade teacher in Belmont. She taught in San Diego for a few years, where she met Wayne Briggson, a Lt. in the Navy. They married, moved to Menlo Park, and had three children, Matt, Betsy and Katey. Joan was active in many sports in her younger years: basketball in high school, then bowling and many years on the tennis courts.

Loving people and very social, Joan enjoyed spending time with her friends from grammar school, meeting for lunch with Pete’s Pals, her birthday group, or just spending one on one time with different friends. Some of her interests were studying Italian, (a lively group!), and going to dinners at the Italian American Social Club. Joan regularly attended St. Raymond’s Church and supported St. Patrick’s Seminary. She was dedicated to her years of volunteer work at Stanford Hospital, and local churches.

Joan will be remembered for her inspirational spirit and joy, uplifting those around her even through her most limiting and challenging days. Her everpresent, sometimes quirky, sense of humor was one of her best qualities. She was a patient listener, and quietly shared her sage advise when we most needed it.

Joan was preceded in death by her son, Matt, and her husband, Wayne. She is survived by her daughters, Katey and Betsy. Her brother Richard, her nephew Michael and many, many cousins. She will always be remembered for her great sense of humor, her courage, her love and compassion, and her zest for life.

We give special thanks to her amazing caregiver, Tita Ruocco, for her loving attention and expert skills in caring for Mom through the last two years of her life.

A Celebration of Life for Joan will be held in the Spring. To be announced.