Sandra L. (Higgins) McDermott of Franklin and Brewster, January 26, 2018. Beloved wife of Thomas R. McDermott and survived by her children Tracy Byrne and her husband Patrick of Glastonbury, CT, Jamie McDermott and his wife Lanie of Franklin, MA, Michael McDermott of Boston, MA, the late T.R. McDermott, Kerry McDermott of Franklin, MA, and Kelly Bartow and her husband Bill of Wayne, PA, also survived by 10 loving grandchildren Kate, Kerry and Tommy Byrne, Matt and Kalyn McDermott, Maegan and Patrick McDermott, and Billy, Michael and Teddy Bartow.
Sandra was the beloved daughter of the late Willard S. and Christine H. (McCarthy) Higgins, and sister of the late Billy Higgins and Teddy Higgins of West Palm Beach, FL.
Sandra was born in Franklin in 1938 a month before the Great ’38 Hurricane and grew up in Medway and Bellingham before moving back to Franklin where she graduated with the Class of 1956. She devoted most of her time and all of her heart to raising her growing family.
Sandra enjoyed summering on Humarock Beach for many years before her and Tommy built their new home in Brewster twenty years ago, which was appropriately named “Second Wind”. Sandra loved spending time on Cape Cod and vacationing in Fort Lauderdale.
She made fast friends everywhere she went including in recent years as the matriarch of the Franklin YMCA Water Zumba Class. She loved to advocate Democratic politics, particularly at her favorite restaurants; the Lost Dog, the Old Yarmouth Inn and the Beacon Room on Cape Cod and the Horse and Carriage in Norfolk.
Sandra always put a smile on our face with her generous spirit, sharp wit and gregarious personality. Sandra and Tommy were inseparable and completely devoted to each other during their 58 years of marriage. She will be dearly missed by many.
Funeral Mass on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 10 am at St. Mary’s Church in Franklin, followed by interment at the parish cemetery.
Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, January 30th from 4 to 8 PM at the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin, MA.
The family also wishes to acknowledge the exceptional care that Sandra received from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, VNA Care and Maven Care.