Anita Fae Waugh Briggs

OSWEGO – January 9, 2025, Anita Fae Waugh Briggs passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at  Morningstar Residential Care Center in Oswego, NY, following a courageous battle with dementia/Alzheimer’s.  She was 81 years old.

Born on October 30, 1943 to Robert and Ina (MacDougall) Waugh in Fulton, NY, she resided in the Fulton/Volney area for a majority of her life.  Anita was a graduate of Mexico Academy and Central Schools where she was a proud member of the MACS Marching Band, as well as SUNY College at Oswego, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in English, Master’s Degree in Education and her Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration.

Anita was a long time educator who devoted her professional career to serving the students of this area.  In September of 1965 Anita began her career as a teacher in the Fulton Consolidated School District, where she taught 7^th and 8^th grade English at Fulton Junior High School.  She left Fulton for a brief time to teach 3^rd grade at Cherry Street School in the Phoenix Central School District.   She later returned to Fulton to continue her career as a member of the faculty at Fulton Junior High School until 1982, when she joined the staff at G. Ray Bodley High School.  During her years at GRB, Anita taught all levels of English for grades 9-12, as well as Advanced Placement (AP) college level English and electives in public speaking and grammar.  In 1984 she was promoted to English Dept. Chair, a position she held until her retirement in 1998.  For many students, she was their favorite teacher.

During her tenure in Fulton, Anita served on numerous school committees and was also an active member of the Fulton Teachers’ Association.   She created annual events still held in the school district today including the GRB Honors Graduate Banquet and the Fulton Teachers’ Association’s Celebration of Education.

When Cayuga Community College opened its extension site in Fulton, Anita was one of the very first adjunct instructors hired. She taught public speaking at CCC-Fulton for several years.

Following her retirement from teaching, Anita joined the staff at A. L. Lee Memorial Hospital where she was employed as its Director of Volunteers.  She enjoyed working with the Hospital Auxiliary and community members of all ages who volunteered at Lee Memorial.

She was a long-time member of Fulton Community Band where she played French horn.  She was also active as a member of the Fulton Family YMCA and served on its board of directors.

There was nothing Anita valued more than her family.  She loved spending time with her relatives and always made holidays and family events special times for everyone.  She created many lifelong memories for her loved ones.  Becoming a grandmother was the best present she ever received.

Anita was pre-deceased by her mother Ina in 1975, her father Robert in 1979, and her beloved husband of 51 years, Ronald Briggs, in 2018.

She is survived by her sons Thomas E. Briggs II and Robert (Michelle) Briggs, grandchildren Robert and Claire Briggs, brother Harold (Mary) Waugh, nieces Meridith “Marci” Waugh and Erin (Paul) Brewster, all of Fulton, her close friend and teaching colleague Susie Parsons of Fair Haven, as well as several cousins and many dear friends.

Anita’s family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Morningstar Residential Care Center in Oswego for the excellent care she received while residing there.

Calling hours will be 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 15^th at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay Street, Fulton.   A Mass of Christian Burial for family and friends will be celebrated on Thursday, January 16^th at 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity Parish, 309 Buffalo Street, Fulton with Fr. John Canorro officiating.  A spring burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Anita’s memory may be made to PAWS Across Oswego County, 10 Klocks Corners Rd, Building 2, Oswego, NY 13126.

Foster Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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