Helen L. "Tata" Galey Briggs

Helen L. "Tata" Galey Briggs, 89, formerly of W. 13th Street in Millcreek, died Friday morning July 9, 2010 at Pleasant Ridge Manor West following a lengthy illness. A resident of Erie most of her life she was born in Franklin, PA on February 19, 1921 a daughter of the late John and Goldie E. Ream Galey.

Helen was a graduate of Western High School in Baltimore and attended business college in Baltimore. She was employed at Martin Aircraft in Aberdeen, MD and worked at Emil Kraus & Sons as secretary for 31 years before retiring in 1987. She was a member of Kingsley United Methodist Church since 1949 where she was membership secretary, taught Sunday School, and was active with M.Y.F. She was also a member of the U.S. Lighthouse Society, enjoyed traveling, and was an avid reader.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Ernest E. Briggs, Jr.; two brothers in infancy; one sister, Dorothy Scott and her husband Bob; and one sister in law, Nancy Kline.

Survivors include one son, David E. Briggs and his wife Marcia of Erie; one daughter, Kathleen Root and her husband Edward of Painesville, OH; two grandchildren, John Briggs and his wife Nicole of Pittsburgh and Courtney Root of Painesville, OH; one sister, Vera Gerard and her husband Conrad of Greenville, Maine; and dear friends, Kay, Isabelle. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Road (corner of East Gore Rd. and Pine Ave.) on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to services there Monday morning at 10:00 a.m.. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Kingsley United Methodist Church, 913 Cranberry St., Erie, 16502 or Pleasant Ridge Manor West, 8300 West Ridge Road, Fairview, PA, 16415.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pleasant Ridge Manor West for the loving care they provided Helen, especially Tammy, April, Mary Beth, and Lily.

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