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- has no middle name, but sometimes uses Arleen
Died at Garnet Place Assisted Living Community, 5815 Coffey Street
Thelma Briggs Howard
October 7, 1915 - November 15, 2014
Thelma Howard, 99 years of age, passed away peacefully of natural causes at Garnet Place assisted living center in Garden City, Idaho. During her brief time at the center, she continued to cherish family and friends, giving back to them daily.
Thelma was born to William and Sarah Briggs and raised in Carey, Idaho. She was one of nine children. She married Leonard "Doc" Howard in 1937. They moved to Boise, Idaho in 1955 with their three sons. In May of 1957, they sponsored newly married Keith and Joan Briggs from England to Boise. Thelma adored the addition of the two relatives, which then made a family of five.
Thelma was a strong spirited and a dynamic woman. She graduated from nursing school when her children were teenagers. She enjoyed her career at Saint Luke's Hospital and ultimately retired as a head nurse of the cardiac surgical team.
The newly retired couple enjoyed new found opportunities and began years of travel throughout the world. Their travels include all of Europe, including such places as England, Germany, France and Russia. They rode the trans-Siberian railroad across Russia and visited Stalingrad, Moscow and many other Russian communities. They also visited many Central American countries. During the cold winters they traveled in their restored motor home to southern Arizona and Mexico for the warmer climate.
During their time at home, the couple stayed busy, giving to others, supporting their community and enjoying family. Thelma collected and restored antique furniture. She also assisted Doc in the restoration of many antique autos including a Pierce Arrow, a Dodge Touring car, a Model T Ford as well as several other cars.
Thelma had a passion for the card game pinochle and shared those skills with her family. Thelma continued to enjoy and play the game for her entire life. It was common place for Keith and Joan to spend several weekend evenings a month with Thelma and Doc playing cards.
With Doc's passing in 1989, Thelma did not slow down. She continued traveling with her relatives. She returned frequently to England the birth place of her father. At age 90, she took a round the world cruise and stopped at many ports in the Pacific and the Atlantic. She visited the Mayan and Aztec cities of Central America. A highlight of her many travels was a visit to the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru. Now in her nineties, she found the Andes and the elevated city of Cuzco (10,000 feet above sea level) invigorating. The altitude had little effect on Thelma but her sons were not so fortunate.
Thelma enjoyed attending the BSU football games with Keith and Joan. They traveled to several out of state games to watch "her" team play football. Bad weather could not keep her out of the stadium. Several years ago she met personally with coach "Pete" and gave him some sage advice. Coach "Pete" won consistently from that point forward.
Thelma was loyal and tenacious, she loved fashion, beautiful things, and history. She loved stories and the making of memories. Thelma, like many women who grew up in a different era, proved to be timeless. When talking with peers she found a commonality and when great grand kids barged into her house, she jumped in and joined the party.
Thelma expressed her heartfelt thanks to all her care givers who made life easier during the closing years of her life. She insisted that she got her monies worth in her 99 years of a great life.
Thelma is survived by sons Louis (Julia), Lee (Carol), and James (Christine) Howard and Keith and Joan Briggs. She is also survived by many adoring grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. To her great grandchildren Thelma was known as "Grandma Great", and that she was!
Memorial services will be held Saturday November 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the LDS Church on 3229 Bogus Basin Road, Boise, Idaho.
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1915 - 2014 (99 years)