Ellen T. Higgins

Ellen Theresa (McCann) Higgins, 94, passed away on February 5, 2023, in Burlington, North Carolina. She was the wife of Edward J. Higgins. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, Ellen graduated from the Dominican Academy in Fall River and Emmanuel College in Boston.

Due to Ed’s Exxon career assignments, during their 70-year marriage, while raising their five children, Ellen lived an eventful life of multiple (and sometimes unexpected) relocations that included several homes in New Jersey, two in Germany, as well as a three-year assignment in Aruba. She always rose to each challenge with grace and style while maintaining her sense of humor. Several years after his retirement, Ed and Ellen began dividing their time between homes on Cape Cod and the Florida gulf coast. Since 2018, they have enjoyed the friendly camaraderie of their co-residents at The Village of Brookwood in Burlington.

Outwardly a reserved lady, Ellen always loved to hear anyone’s life story and had no trouble forging friendships, many of which lasted a lifetime. “There’s nothing more interesting than people,” she often said.

Ellen was happiest when surrounded by family and was a gracious hostess, no matter the locale. She helped create hundreds of fond memories for the extended family at spring break ski houses in New England, summer cottages on Cape Cod, and notably at the “Higgins Hilton” in Aruba.

Ellen’s survivors include her husband, Ed, and four children: Sue (George) Cvejanovich of Miami Shores, Florida; Tim (Wendy) Higgins of Newburyport, Massachusetts; Jeff (Cheryl) Higgins of Houston, Texas; and Terese (Chip) Schenk of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In addition, "Gram" also leaves eight adoring grandchildren—Ellen (Dennis) Madarang, Jed (Veronica) Cvejanovich, T.J. (Anna) Higgins, Juliet (James) Vanderburg, Kathleen Higgins, Colin Schenk, Erin Higgins, and Molly Higgins—and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

She was predeceased by her son, John Thomas Higgins; her parents, T. Arthur and Margaret E. (McCann) McCann; sisters, Catherine E. Tucci and Margaret Mary Driscoll; and brothers, Thomas A. McCann and John J. “Jack” McCann.

The family would like to especially thank Ellen’s caregivers at Brookwood for their attentive kindness and compassion.

Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 18, at 9:00 AM in the Waring-Sullivan Cherry Place Funeral Home, 178 Winter Street, Fall River, Massachusetts, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at Holy Name Catholic Church, 709 Hanover St., Fall River. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fall River. Visitation will take place on Friday, February 17, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Family and friends are invited. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor. For directions and tributes please visit, www.waring-sullivan.com