Briana M. Pierce, 35

ADAMS, Mass. — Briana Marie Pierce, 35, of 7 Burt St., Adams, died Saturday, July 2, 2016, at home.

Born in Pittsfield on December 29, 1980, the daughter of T. Frank and Ruth M. Brown Pierce, she was educated in local schools and was a 1999 graduate of Hoosac Valley High School. 

Briana fought a courageous battle with lupus most of her life. Prior to her passing, she was employed as an assistant to a court appointed guardian from North Adams. 

Briana was a very sweet and caring person who enjoyed painting classes with her mother and sister-in-law MoMo. She also loved animals, especially cats and dogs. In her younger years she enjoyed family vacations to Hawaii, Disney World and the beach. She loved to draw and play basketball; she played alto saxaphone and spent much of her free time with her fiance Christopher Gigliotti. 

She is survived by her loving parents, T. Frank and Ruth M. Brown Pierce of Cheshire; her brother, Jonathan T. Pierce and his wife MoMo Chang and their son Justin Hsiao of Lenox; her fiance Christopher Gigliotti and his daughters Chase and Ava of Adams; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and a nephew. 

She was predeceased by her aunt, Marilyn C. Reeves; and her cousin, Derrick Vonberg.

Funeral notice: Funeral Services for Briana Marie Pierce, who died July 2, 2016 will be held at the Dery-Cheshire Funeral Home, North State Road, Cheshire, on Friday, July 8, 2016 at 10 a.m. with the Pastor David Anderson officiating. 

Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, July 7, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will follow in Cheshire Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Briana's memory can be made to the Lupus Foundation of America in care of the funeral home.