Helen (Ryan) Higgins died Friday, September 8, 2006 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 64. She was the wife of Leonard Connolly Higgins for 41 years.
Raised in Norwalk, CT, Helen was the daughter of the late Ann and James Ryan. She had lived in the Mattapoisett area since 1975 before moving to Fairhaven in 2002.
Helen spent her entire career in the health field. Starting as a technician in cancer research with Dr. William Maloney in Boston, Helen played a pivotal role in the growth of Marion Pediatrics as the office manager since its inception.
Helen loved singing; she spent many years in the St. Anthony's choir group, the Sippican Choir Group and other local singing groups. Always up for a good joke, Helen was a breath of fresh air for her family. She was often referred to as the glue that kept everyone together. In her free time, Helen loved to swim, garden and spend time with her friends and family.
Helen will be missed greatly by all. Besides her husband, she leaves behind her three sons, Matthew J. Higgins of California, James Leonard Higgins of Mattapoisett and Daniel Jude Higgins of New Bedford; two daughter-in-laws, Kristen Higgins and Rachael Higgins; four grandchildren, Emma, Jillian, Lauren and John; four brothers, James Ryan of Florida, David Ryan of South Carolina, Kevin Ryan of Pennsylvania and George Terrance Ryan of New York; a sister, Anne Martin Mellinger of South Carolina; an aunt, Alice Driscoll of Cape Cod. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett, Friday, September 15th at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Anthony's Church at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours Wednesday, September 13th from 4-8 PM and Thursday, September 14th from 4-8 PM.