FULTON, NY – Catherine Briggs White, 96, died Thursday June 5, 2014, at The Manor at Seneca Hill following a brief illness.
Catherine resided most of her life in Fulton, NY, until recently when she moved to Meadowbrook Manor in Hannibal.
Born on October 21, 1917 to Richard and Mary “Minnie” (McManus) Clinton in Kingston, NY, she was the second of four daughters.
She attended St. Joseph’s School through eighth grade and graduated from Kingston High School.
She and her family moved to Fulton in the 1930s when her father was appointed manager of a local shoe store.
She began working in retail at an early age.
Catherine was a sales clerk/associate in several stores in downtown Fulton including McCormick’s and McDonald’s Fashions.
She was a longtime employee at Shapiro’s and retired after more than 20 years in the women’s shop at Shapiro’s.
Catherine was a devout Catholic who was a communicant of the Church of the Immaculate Conception (now Holy Trinity Parish) in Fulton for more than 70 years.
Throughout her years as a parishioner, she volunteered for church committees and at St. Mary’s School.
She was proud of her Irish heritage.
Catherine enjoyed traveling to Maine and Pinehurst, North Carolina, spending time with her family and reconnecting with customers she had waited on over the years while working at Shapiro’s.
Catherine was predeceased by her husband, PFC Thomas E. “Ed” Briggs, who was killed in the Battle of the Ruhr in Germany during April, 1945; a second husband Joseph J. White, in 1999; sisters Mary Clinton Semeraro, in 1982, Helen Clinton Shanley, in 2006 and Margaret “Peg” Clinton, also in 2006.
Catherine is survived by her son, Ronald (Anita) Briggs; grandsons, Thomas E. Briggs II and Robert (Michelle) Briggs; two great-grandchildren, Robert Waugh Briggs and Claire Michelle Briggs; as well as nephew, John (Brenda) Semeraro, all of Fulton.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial for family and friends will be celebrated on Saturday, June 14 at 9 a.m. at Holy Trinity Parish, Fulton with Rev. John Canorro officiating.
Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund, c/o Holy Trinity Parish, 309 Buffalo St., Fulton.
Foster Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Ron,
Sorry to hear about your Mom. She was a wonderful lady and was very kind to me when we were young on Maple Ave and when I worked with her at Shapiros.
Regards, Mike Smith