GROTON LONG POINT:
Gretchen Alexa Higgins was born in Norwich, CT on July 26, 1941, to H. Eugene Grieshaber and Edith Somers Grieshaber Cowles. She attended St. Bernard’s High School, graduating in 1959. Gretchen moved to Boston, MA where she lived in a 6th floor walkup apartment and rode a bicycle to her job at the Children’s Hospital where she worked in admissions. Each day, she carried her bicycle up the six flights. She did not get a driver’s license until she was 35.
Gretchen was an amazing cook, having served as sous chef for her father from a very young age. Cooking remained a passion for Gretchen her entire life and entertaining guests came naturally for her. Gretchen was great communicator, a better listener, and communicated through her lifelong love of art, culture and cuisine.
In 1963, two days before the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Gretchen moved to New York City and began working as office manager at a veterinary office under the direction of Dr. John Higgins, VMD. In July of 1964, she and Dr. Higgins were married. They had two sons, Christopher, born in 1968, and Peter in 1970. She continued to work while raising her family. Somehow, she found time to create a grief support group for the families of the pets in the care of the veterinary office.
Newly divorced at 50, Gretchen decided to further her education so she drove cross-country, alone and without air conditioning, sleeping in her car until she reached California State University. It was the first of eight round trips. She had been given a camera prior to her first trip, and she began documenting her journeys. That began her life-long love of photography.
Gretchen attended Oxford University as an exchange student. There, she took a children’s literature course and studio art classes. In 1999, she earned a B.A. in psychology and a B.A. in studio arts from California State University. She enjoyed being an older student feeling she got more out of her studies. Gretchen had a genuine interest in people and drew no line between age, vocation or social status.
Having completed her education, Gretchen returned to Connecticut. Not knowing exactly what she wanted to do, she joined AmeriCorps in Providence, RI. She lived in public housing and worked at the Providence Children’s Museum creating programs and engaging in activities with children. It was a point of pride for her.
Gretchen became gallery director at the Hygienic Gallery in New London, CT, in 2000. In 2003, she joined the staff of the Mystic Museum of Art as events coordinator as well as coordinator of volunteers. It was a position she enjoyed greatly for 10 years before retiring in 2013. That year, her first grandchild, Ronin Higgins, was born. Her second grandchild, Colette Higgins, was born in February 2018.
Gretchen was a skilled photographer. In 2015, she traveled with to Bulgaria as part of an arts exchange program by the Griffiths Art Center. There, she documented the country, the culture, and the people through photography.
Gretchen passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 12 at the age of 84. She was the eldest of four children and was preceded in death by brother, Hugo Greishaber, and twin sisters, Frederica and Katrina Grieshaber. She is survived by her sons, Christopher Higgins and Peter Higgins of New York City, daughter-in-law, Danielle Higgins, grandson, Ronin Higgins, granddaughter, Colette Higgins, and a host of friends who loved her dearly.
Gretchen’s family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, May 30, from 11:00am to 12 Noon at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. At 12:00 Noon a Memorial Service will be held at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow in the family plot in East Neck Cemetery, 143 Niles Hill Road, Waterford. A celebration of Gretchen’s life and reception will be held at 2:30pm at the Groton Long Point Casino, 44 Beach Road, Groton Long Point in the community that she had made her home.