HALLOWELL - Louise Eldina Harwood Briggs passed away peacefully at her Central Street home on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007. Mom was born in Augusta on July 30, 1929, the third child of Francis and Doris Harwood of Augusta and Hallowell. She was educated in Augusta's parochial schools before entering Cony High School. At Cony, she was outstanding in the band and orchestra program where she played lead trombone and piano. She was frequently asked to perform on local radio station WRDO and won honors at the Maine Music Camp in Farmington. After graduating from Cony in 1947, she furthered her education by studying nursing at the Elizabeth Seton Nursing Program in Boston and Baltimore. In 1951, she passed the Maine State Board examination and became a registered nurse. She was employed at the Veterans Administration hospital at Togus as a registered nurse from 1951 to 1954, leaving the field to raise a family but continuing occasionally in private duty. On Aug. 15, 1953, she married Robert Henry Briggs, of Augusta, and after living briefly in Augusta, they settled into their house on 65 Central St. There they built the house into a home, haven and place of nurture and instruction for their five and many of the neighborhood children. In her quiet and unassuming manner, mom was a true matriarch to her family and extended family. She was steadfast in times of crisis, supportive in times of sorrow, a tower of strength always, even though she carried significant physical pain of her own. And one thing for sure, you didn't mess with her brood. Mom used her gifts of caring and medical expertise to lead the healing ministry at St. Paul's Charismatic community for many years. She went way out of her comfort zone to conduct healing seminars and life in the spirit seminars. For nine years, she helped run services at several nursing homes in the area. Mom also championed the cause for an enriched special education program at School Administrative District 16. When a lack of special services offered by the school district failed to provide for one of her children, she founded the Augusta Day School and then convinced the superintendent of schools to establish a program for those with learning disabilities. An avid gardener, mom developed a love for roses and was often referred to as the 'Rose Lady.' She saw cultivating roses as a ministry, and many weddings, funerals and church altars were enriched by her offering. For many years, she was a member and officer in the Maine Rose Society and was frequently called upon to share her expertise at talks and seminars. Mom loved the Prayer of St. Francis and it was, from an early age, the blueprint for her life. She lived a life of selflessness, compassion and commitment to her faith. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and loved ones. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Robert Briggs, and is survived by sons John H. Briggs and his wife, Patricia, of Falmouth, Thomas Briggs of Winthrop, and Bob Briggs of Hallowell; daughters Poogie Bjerklie and her husband, John, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Elizabeth Nevins and her husband, Tim, of Manchester; grandchildren Henry Thomas Briggs, Ashleigh Marie Briggs, Ian Michael Briggs and Geoffrey Thomas Briggs; and Jasper, her cat. She is also survived by her brothers, sisters and their spouses, Kay and Ralph Smith of Scarborough, Betty and Wesley Wright of Bangor, Ted and Bertha Harwood of Augusta, Francis and Lynette Harwood of Hallowell, and Arlene and John Bernard of Portland. Visiting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1 Church St., Augusta. A memorial Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Church in Hallowell with the Rev. George Hickey, celebrant. Burial in Forest Grove Cemetery, Augusta, will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to Bread of Life Ministries, 157 Water St. Augusta.