Celebrating the life of
Bret Birney Curless
June 20, 1935 - August 28, 2015
Bret Birney Curless, 80, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2015 at home surrounded by her family. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 20, 1935 and moved to Morris County, New Jersey, at the age of five where she spent the majority of her life. During her teenage years, she was a dancer in the New Jersey Ballet. Bret had fond memories of the time she spent for many summers as a young girl at the beach in Spring Lake, New Jersey, and much later, at the Rod and Gun Club in the North Woods of Wisconsin with her own family.
She graduated from Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, with a major in World History in 1957. On a blind date while in college, Bret met the love of her life, Tom. They were married in December 1957 and lived happily together, mainly in Chatham, New Jersey, for 57 years. She was a dedicated homemaker who devoted her life to raising four children, caring for her husband and enjoying time spent with her 11 grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, knitting, and playing tennis, golf, and bridge. Bret also enjoyed and had talent for writing, although most of her best writing was saved for her family.
Bret and Tom moved to the Landings in 1995 following Tom’s retirement. There she made many friends and engaged in many activities during their 20 years of living in the Savannah area, which was quite a change from living in the New York area. Bret was an active member of the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church serving as the Librarian and on the Altar Guild. She also was a member of Georgia Chapter L of the P.E.O.
Bret was preceded in death by her parents, George Birney and Elizabeth Bateman. She is survived by her loving husband, Tom, and her four children, Catherine Hughes, Carey Ahsler, Rebecca McDaniel, and Thomas Curless and her sister, Jane Busse (Howard) and 11 grandchildren: Margaret, John MacArthur, Griffin, and Jared Ahsler, Patrick and Peter Hughes, Bret, Connor, and Owen McDaniel, and Madeline and McKenna Curless.
Bret was much beloved by her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank THA Group Island Hospice and home care nurses, Ami, Jessica and Andi for their compassionate care. Also, thanks go to the Linda Ooms, who provided a wide range of home care services and love to Bret for the last seven months of her life.
The Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Skidaway Island Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Skidaway Island Methodist Church, 54 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, Ga 31411.
Please sign our on line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com.
Lean on God, this is when faith is needed most. Keep your eyes, ears and hearts open for signs that Bret is near. She will always be alive inside you and her legacy continues through you and your children.
- Laura and Mark Burgess, Madison, NJ
Art and I extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Bret and I went through high school together and had many fun times together during those years. Though we haven't seen you in quite a while, we often talked about the good times we had in the 50's! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Fondly, Jane and Art Ridley, Milford, PA
- Jane Hamilton Ridley, Milford, PA
Please accept our deepest sympathy. I went to high school and college with Bret where we roomed together freshman year. She was a wonderful, talented friend and I will miss her terribly. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Ann McFarlan Phillips
- Ann and Roscoe Phillips, Germantown, TN
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You will truly be missed!
- The Marshes of Skidaway Island, Savannah, GA
tom and family - so sorry for your loss please accept our sincere condolences- Gail and Jim Quinn
- jim and gail quinn, savannah, ga
Tom, we certainly enjoyed knowing both Brett and you. We wish you sincere condolences. May the good memories sustain you through this period of grief.
- Karl and Sandy Dreisbach, Savannah, GA
We shared a Wedding Anniversary, and much more. We loved you and will,miss you, taken too soon
- Dawson, Savannah, Ga
Lean on God, this is when faith is needed most. Keep your eyes, ears and hearts open for signs that Bret is near. She will always be alive inside you and her legacy continues through you and your children.
- Laura and Mark Burgess, Madison, NJ
Art and I extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Bret and I went through high school together and had many fun times together during those years. Though we haven't seen you in quite a while, we often talked about the good times we had in the 50's! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Fondly, Jane and Art Ridley, Milford, PA
- Jane Hamilton Ridley, Milford, PA
Please accept our deepest sympathy. I went to high school and college with Bret where we roomed together freshman year. She was a wonderful, talented friend and I will miss her terribly. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Ann McFarlan Phillips
- Ann and Roscoe Phillips, Germantown, TN
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You will truly be missed!
- The Marshes of Skidaway Island, Savannah, GA
tom and family - so sorry for your loss please accept our sincere condolences- Gail and Jim Quinn
- jim and gail quinn, savannah, ga
Tom, we certainly enjoyed knowing both Brett and you. We wish you sincere condolences. May the good memories sustain you through this period of grief.
- Karl and Sandy Dreisbach, Savannah, GA
We shared a Wedding Anniversary, and much more. We loved you and will,miss you, taken too soon
- Dawson, Savannah, Ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
