Obituary of Dorothy Ann Briant

Dorothy Ann Briant, age 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Regents Augustana Assisted Living Center in Burnsville, MN.

She was born on December 24, 1931 to Charles and Anna Simcoe and was laid in a swaddling blanket beneath the Christmas tree because Dorothy was a “Christmas Angel” according to Grandma Simcoe.

Dorothy and her husband, Phil, raised six children including Greg, Jim (Barbara), Tom (Kathy) Joe (Julie), Rob (Heather), and Mary (Jim) Kallstrom. She was a longtime parishioner at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Richfield, Minnesota, and sang in the church choir for many years. Dorothy chose the songs to be sung by the choir during her Celebration of Life Mass including Ave Maria because she had a special place in her life for the Virgin Mary.

What truly made Dorothy smile were all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandkids include Jason, Christopher, Justin, Kristina, Rachel, Cory, Kayla, Lindsey, Brittney, Heather, Josie, and Jack. Her two great-grandchildren, Wednesday and Easton, were also very special to her.

She never lost her love of playing games, whether that be Bunco, 500, or Kings in the Corner. Her other favorite pastime was playing bingo at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington and later at her assisted living center, even if coverall only paid $.50 to the winner. Fittingly, Dorothy won bingo three times on the day she departed this life. She was fondly referred to as Grandma Bingo.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother, Anna, her father, Charles; her husband, Phil; and her brother, Jerry Simcoe.

She is survived by all six of her children, twelve grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, her sister, Mary (Hoff), and other extended family members and friends.

We will honor Dorothy at a Celebration of Life Mass to be held at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior, on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 7540 Penn Avenue South, Richfield, Minnesota, 55423. A luncheon will follow Mass.

Suggested memorials are the International Rett Syndrome Foundation in honor of Lindsey Kallstrom, 4500 Cooper Road, Unit 204, Cincinnati, OH 45242, or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306.