Malinda Finney Briggs

Malinda Finney Briggs of Tucson, AZ, passed away on December 17, 2024 at the age of 76 in a motor vehicle collision. She was born in El Paso, TX, in 1948 but moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona where she majored in English. While getting her MFA at the University of Montana, she met Barrett Briggs. The two moved back to Tucson, where they were married and had a daughter, Lauren. Malinda worked as a copywriter for Levy’s Department Store and as a Creative Manager at Arizona Mail Order, places where she also made lasting friendships.

Malinda was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She had a love for art and nature, and found much joy in reading, crafting, and spending time with family and friends. Malinda was deeply committed to advocacy for women's rights and democracy, and spent many hours volunteering to advance those causes with Planned Parenthood and the Democratic Party. Malinda also had a passion for music and a beautiful singing voice, which she shared when she sang 1st soprano with the Tucson Masterworks. However during a University of Arizona basketball game she could loose a stream of profanity at the TV that would make a sailor blush.

She held multitudes.

Malinda is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Annette Finney, and her husband, Barry. She is survived by her daughter Lauren Briggs, granddaughter Adelais Briggs-Olson, and son-in-law Nick Czechowski; brother John Finney, niece Bijou Finney, nephew Lucas Finney, niece Raquel Beeby, and cousin Oliver Finney; and many wonderful friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Planned Parenthood or the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

A celebration of life will be held privately.