Lucille Paul Briere

Lucille Paul Briere, 91, died on Nov. 18, 2022, in Richmond, Virginia, surrounded by the love of her family after having a long and abundant life.

Lucille was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, on Apr. 13, 1931, the only child of Claudio Joseph Paul and Irene McDonald Paul. Following the passing of her mother when she was quite young, Lucille traveled to the Convent of the Sisters of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in Nicolet, Quebec, Canada. There, she was raised and schooled by Catholic nuns. Lucille graduated from St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1952 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and returned to Southbridge.

She met her future husband, an aspiring doctor, Russell Ovide Briere, in Southbridge. The two married on July 24, 1954 in Southbridge, when she was 23 years old. The two began a journey that followed Russell’s medical schooling and career in the Air Force and later, to Montreal, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, and ultimately, Richmond, Virginia. Lucille practiced nursing in the early years while Russell pursued his medical degree.

In the late 1970s, Lucille and Russell purchased Cumberland Farm in New Kent County, Virginia, and relished the historical, rural landscape for almost 30 years, hosting family gatherings, Easter egg hunts, and Garden Club showings on the Civil War era property.

Outside of being matriarch of the family and raising four children, Lucille was quite active in the community and volunteer work, mostly involving the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Hand Workshop Art Center. She loved worked in the museum shop, going on buying trips to New York City for the museum, and supporting local artists at the Hand Workshop. Lucille enjoyed gardening and volunteered her time and skills in Richmond and New Kent.

Lucille joins her beloved husband of 53 years, Russell Ovide Briere, who predeceased her in 2007.

She leaves behind her thankful and loving children, Susan Shafer, David Briere, Danny Briere, and Michelle Finn; their spouses, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

A private ceremony will be held at St. Peter’s Parish Church in the Spring of 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any remembrance of Lucille be made via donations to St. Peter’s Parish Church, 8400 St. Peter’s Lane, New Kent, VA 23124; the current resting place of her husband and soon hers alongside her. May they both rest in peace.