passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.
Born in Newark, NJ, Mary grew up in East Orange. She graduated from Our Lady of
Good Counsel High School and Essex County Vocational School in Newark with a
certificate in Business. Mary was employed by Bell Telephone Company in Newark
before her marriage to George Higgins in 1945. In 1950, Mary and George moved to
Nutley, where they raised their family and resided for 31 years. Mary worked as a legal
secretary for the Donohue law firm in Nutley. She later began a 20 year career at
Hoffmann-La Roche, where she was a much admired and respected co-worker in
marketing research, sales and pharmacy affairs departments. Mary and George retired
to Toms River in 1981. Her greatest source of pride was her family, and she was
happiest when they were all together in her home.
Her devoted husband of 66 years, George Higgins, pre-deceased her in 2011. Mary was
pre-deceased by her parents, James and Caroline (Mellen) Mc Donnell, her brother
James McDonnell, and four sisters, Beatrice Mc Donnell, Elaine McMurray, Carol Ferraer,
and Rosalie Kolodin Powell, and her beloved grandson Christopher Consiglio.
Surviving are her six loving and devoted children, daughters Rosemary Di Marco and
spouse Frank of Toms River, Elizabeth Consiglio and spouse Lou of Hazlet, Ellen
England, and sons William Higgins and spouse Mary Ellen of Pocono Lake, PA, James
Higgins and spouse Barbara of New York City, and George Higgins and spouse Joanne of
Wayne. Also left to cherish her memory are ten grandchildren, her source of joy and
pride - Frank, Patrick and Michael Di Marco, Jessica Murray, Kelly Higgins, Stephen
Consiglio, Jaimie Higgins, Kevin Higgins, Colleen Silver, and Zachary England. She is
also survived by nine adoring great grandchildren, Luke, Alexandra, Alyssa, Samantha,
Madeline and Kyle Di Marco and Ashley, Riley and William Murray. Also left to mourn
her loss are many loving nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. The family expresses
their profound gratitude to Mary's caregivers and to Van Dyke Hospice for their loving
and compassionate care for their mother.
Mary had a zest for life. She enjoyed cultivating beautiful gardens, baking, watercolor
painting, floral arranging, calligraphy, and spending family vacations at Lavallette. A
beautiful person, inside and out, Mary loved people. She was warm, kind, caring, joyful,
genuine and considerate, a woman of faith, who was admired by all who knew her. She
enjoyed keeping in touch with her large extended family and friends, corresponding with
them over the years. A beautiful life has come to an end. She died as she lived,
everyone's friend. Forever in our hearts, we love you, Mom. Visiting will be held Sunday from 2-6 pm at the Quinn Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Rd.,Toms River. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11 am Monday at St. Joseph R. C. Church, Toms River. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Mary's name to the American Heart Association (donate.heart.org) or New Jersey Sharing Network Foundation (njsharingnetwork.org) would be appreciated.
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