Welma Brigham

Littleton

Welma (Leeman) Brigham, 94, of Littleton died on February 14, 2015 at Mass General Hospital in Boston after a brief illness. She was born in Springfield, MA on September 20, 1920, daughter of the late Parker and Elizabeth (Struthers) Leeman and was the former wife of Howard H. Brigham. She grew up in the Springfield area, and graduated from Classical High.

She served in the U.S. Navy during WW2, and was stationed at Stillwater OK, Lakehurst NJ, and Pearl Harbor, HI. . She later married and has made her home in Littleton since 1950. She worked as Secretary to Dr. Lan Jen Chu of Chu Associates, Executive Editorial Secretary for Designer Design Magazine, and the Pennwell Publishing Co. for 11 years before her retirement in 1983. Post-retirement, she worked many years at Cataldo Nursery Greenhouse in Littleton.

Welma (known to many as "Van"), was a Cub Scout Leader, a charter member and officer of the Littleton Country Gardeners, secretary of the Littleton Council of Churches and a member of the Shade Tree Committee. She became a Master Gardener, was a member of the Mass. Horticultural Society, and initiated the first ever open-to the public, hands on garden tour of five Littleton gardens. The Blue Star Garden in Littleton was named for her.

Mrs. Brigham is survived by her 5 sons, Peter Brigham of Groton, Jonathan and his wife Susan of Littleton, Thomas and his wife Karen of Westford, James Brigham of Raymond, NH, and Robert Brigham of Durham, NC; also 4 grandchildren Matthew Brigham, Bethany and her husband Caleb Taft, Nicole Brigham and her fianc� Wyman Washington, Corey Brigham and his wife Lauren, and one great-grandchild James Taft.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 28th at 10:30 AM at the First Church Unitarian, Foster Street. Littleton, MA. For those who wish, contributions may be made in her memory to the Littleton Country Gardeners. Please see www.badgerfuneral.com