RUMFORD – Gwendolyn L. “Gwen” Briggs, 81, of Upton Road, Andover, passed away on Tuesday, March 20, at Rumford Hospital with her loving family at her side.

She was born in Moncton, N.B., Canada, on Feb. 13, 1926, a daughter of James F. and Lilian I. (James) McGinnis, and was educated in schools in Canada.

She married Alden A. Briggs on Jan. 2, 1946. He passed away in April of 2001.

She was proud to be a career Navy wife and cherished the many friendships she made, especially her dearest friend, Eleanor.

She loved to cook, and she was known for her great pies. She also loved traveling, and saw all 50 states; many of those trips were done with her daughters.

She also enjoyed playing bingo with her friends, crocheting and sewing, but especially spending time with her loving grandchildren and her beloved pets.

She is survived by three daughters, Belinda J. Poor and husband, Peter, of Andover, Sharon K. Farrington and husband, Mark, of East Andover, and Debra A. Gilsdorf, of Windsor, Colo.; a sister, Doreen Ramsay, of Moncton, N.B., Canada; seven grandchildren, Jenna Lea Poor, Peter John Poor, Lindsey May Farrington, Cindy Ann Farrington, Matthew Alan Farrington, Victor Alden Gilsdorf, and Daniel Arthur Gilsdorf; a niece, Joan Ramsay, of Moncton, N.B., Canada; a nephew, Glen Ramsay, of Riverview, N.B., Canada; and her dearest friend, Eleanor Willhoite, of Norfolk, Va.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her husband, Alden.