January 16, 2018
Bryant, Elizabeth
Elizabeth E. (Giles) Bryant, age 100, of Dedham, formerly of Braintree and Medford, January 10, after a short illness. Daughter of the late William David Giles and Jennie Louise Giles. Wife of the late Fred A. Bryant. Mother of David A. Bryant and his partner Patricia A. Aucoin of Dedham, Marcia L. Beck and her husband Drew of Palo Alto, CA and Barbara A. Bryant and her husband Douglas of Foxboro. Also survived by 7 grandchildren (Becky Bryant of Rickmansworth, UK, Alan Bryant of Walpole, Andrew Bryant of Philadelphia, PA, Heidi Beck of Sausalito, CA, Allison Jensen of Los Gatos, CA, Chris Curran of Allston, and Alex Curran of Allston) and 4 great-grandchildren (Liam and Alice Bryant of Walpole, Beck and Beau Jensen of Los Gatos, CA), and nieces Janet Shields of Quincy and Phyllis Ramsden of Richmond, NH) and a nephew (Stan Shields of Ashland).
Liz and her family moved to Dedham in 1955. Elizabeth, or Liz, as she liked to be called, was a housewife but also worked at a number of local businesses – The Book Lover’s Nook in Dedham Square (one of her favorite jobs), Fisher Dairy Restaurant, Endicott Pharmacy and many years at the Rust Craft Greeting Card Company. In later years she worked at Bay Bank and as a food demonstrator at Costco until the age of 80.
In addition, she drove for FISH, led a Campfire girls group, was a member of the PTA and the Dedham High Band Parents Association. She was very active at St. John’s Methodist Church, serving in many roles including as a Sunday School teacher and as Sunday School Superintendent. Elizabeth loved the church fairs, managed the book table for many years, and made her famous apple pies for them. Fred and Liz had a large house in Oakdale that was the setting for countless family holiday dinners, summer barbecues, and croquet games. Elizabeth loved reading, especially mysteries. In her younger days, she loved to hook rugs, she made clothes on her old treadle sewing machine, and always had a big garden.
When St. John’s Methodist Church closed, Liz joined Allin Congregational Church.She drove her own car well into her nineties and lived in her own house until her death on January 10th, at the age of one hundred.
A Memorial Service will be held at Allin Congregational Church, 683 High St., Dedham on Saturday, January 20, at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Allin Congregational Church (address above).
Comments(6)
Sending our deepest condolences to the Bryant family.
David
I was sorry to hear your mother had passed away. I will miss seeing her at the Over 90’s l
Luncheon. Reading about her life in Dedham was like reading the history of the town. A life well lived.
I send my deep sympathy to David, Marcia, Barbara and families,
“Liz” was a very special cousin of mine. She had the gift of
joy, kindness, “can do” spirit, love and patience.
So sorry to hear about Liz. She has always been an inspiration to me, and was always a very positive and delightful individual. She will be missed at Allin Church services and at the coffee hour. Blessings and prayers to all those she loved. I was blessed to have known her.
David, I just now saw your email. I have had your mother and you and my thoughts this past month. I must have known at another level. I send my warmest sympathies to you and your sisters, Marcia and Barbara, and all the many relatives. Liz’s passing is the end of a special era in my life. She was such a lovely lady in every way. I have many great memories of her when we were kids and loved being with her 11 years ago at Nancy Lang’s home. I was amazed at her vitality! I am glad her leaving was so very peaceful. Thank you for letting me know. Keeping you close in my thoughts.
This is about 4 years too late, but when you randomly search the net I guess that can take way too much time. All I have to add is Liz had a wonderful family that I’m quite sure she lived long enough to always be very proud of. As someone who was only a temporary in-law, I envy the love that surrounded her. It was well deserved. And not un-noticed by those of us fortunate enough to spend any time with Liz and her outstanding family: Fred, David, Marcia &Barbra.
Don Gibson