Sandra Briggs Obituary

Sandra 'Sandy' Mirenghi Briggs, nee Sandra Diane Mirenghi, of Summerville, SC, born on February 3, 1943, in Yonkers, NY, entered eternal rest on January 15, 2026, in Charleston, SC.

She graduated from Greenville High School in Greenville, SC in 1960, and from Furman University in 1963. She graduated with a dual degree in English and Economics/Business Administration. Her first job after college was with Leslie Advertising in Greenville, SC during the "Mad Men" years. She began as a copywriter with duties that included radio and television production, with her final position being Copy Director and Creative Group Supervisor. After moving to Charleston, SC, she worked for Davol, Inc/C.R. Bard, Inc in Moncks Corner, SC. She was initially the Communications/Training Specialist, then promoted to Personnel Specialist. Later, she was the Director of Personnel for Seabrook Island Company.

After leaving the workforce, she volunteered extensively. When Lew was stationed in Oklahoma, she assisted the Physical Therapy department of the Altus Air Force Base hospital for which she received a Letter of Appreciation from the Air Force, as well as 2 Certificates of Appreciation from the Red Cross.

When Lew was transferred back to Charleston, Sandy began volunteering for Meals on Wheels in Mt. Pleasant, SC. She received a Five (5) year service award and went on to volunteer with them for several more years. She assisted elderly community members by driving them to medical appointments when they were no longer able to drive. During this time, she completed the Master Gardener's course through the Clemson Extension in Charleston. In addition to her volunteer work, she served on the Homeowners Association Board for Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms, SC.

One of her greatest joys in life was traveling the US with Lew. She loved the mountains and most especially Colorado, with some of her favorite places being Estes Park and the US Air Force Academy (USAFA). Sandy adored her dogs, parades, fireflies, ice cream, Christmas, football, music, theater, the beach, hummingbirds, and cross stitching, among many other things. She was skilled at growing flowers and had a cutting garden for many years at their home in Coosaw Creek Country Club. She played bridge, was a member of a book club and a voracious reader, and she was the consummate hostess. She had a large circle of friends which enriched her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen 'Al' E. and Katherine 'Kay/Katie' Mirenghi. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Lewis W. Briggs, her daughter Tiffany Theissen (Darby), her stepdaughter Jona Briggs Hall (Greg), and her grandchildren, Amber and Jake (Jona), and Phoebe (Darby).

The viewing will be Monday, January 26, 2026, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at James A. Dyal Funeral Home, 303 South Main Street, Summerville, SC. The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 27th, at 11:00am at St. Theresa the Little Flower, 1101 Dorchester Road, Summerville, SC. Interment will be at a later date at the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery, USAF Academy, Colorado.