BANGOR – Effie Higgins Morrissey, 90, died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at a local hospital. She was born May 24, 1917, in Milo, the daughter of Charles and Effie (Perham) Higgins. Effie grew up on a farm in Carmel with her foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Perley Sylvester. She graduated from Carmel High School, Class of 1937 and Maine School of Commerce, Bangor, Class of 1941. Effie began her banking career with Merchants National Bank in 1946 in the trust department, later moving to auditing. She retired from Merchants after a long career. On Oct. 21, 1946, Effie and Cecil Henry Morrissey, a proud veteran of World War II and the son of Thomas and Bertha Morrissey, were married at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Bangor. Together Effie and Cecil built their home in Bangor, where Effie resided until her death. Effie had a long and rich life. After her retirement she was an active volunteer in the Bangor community. She gave freely of her time to the library at Eastern Maine Technical College, volunteered with the Meals for ME program, participated often in The Walk America fundraiser for the March of Dimes, once receiving the Order of the Battered Boot as the oldest participating walker. Effie was a 15-year member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and was involved in a number of local senior citizen groups. In her 80s, she accompanied the choir from Saint John’s on a trip to England. Effie loved her church and her church community, and their support over the last years of her life was extremely important to her. Effie was a very giving woman and helped many, many people during her lifetime. Even in her 80s, Effie was taking care of “older” friends by providing transportation to doctors’ appointments and church. A lifelong gardener and dedicated putterer, Effie enjoyed caring for her yard and the beautiful plants and flowers which always surrounded her. Effie had a sharp sense of humor and was a great storyteller, and having lived through most of the 20th century, she had lots of stories to tell. She enjoyed relating the tale of the Brady gang and was very interested in the recent reenactment of the shootout with the gang on Central Street. Effie had just picked up her Bangor Daily and coffee at Swett’s Market, Main Street and was walking to work at Merchants Bank on the morning the shooting occurred. Surviving are a brother, George Higgins of Bangor; a daughter, Judith Graves; a grandson, Shad Harvey and his wife, Melissa; a granddaughter, Donilynn Deveau and her husband, Michael; five great- grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; and nieces, Sharon Jones and Linda Sargent. Effie is also survived by many loving friends, including Karen Marley of Bangor and Louise Morgan of Hampden. Effie was predeceased by her husband, Cecil; a sister, Annie Andrews; and a brother, Harold Higgins. Many thanks to the Meals for ME program and Aging Excellence for helping Effie to remain independent and at home during her last year. Being at home was extremely important. Family and friends may visit 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, French Street, Bangor, with the Revs. Mary Ann Taylor and Elizabeth O’Donnell presiding. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Etna. Those who wish may contribute in Effie’s memory to the Bangor Humane Society, 693B Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401.
EFFIE HIGGINS MORRISSEY
