NANCY HIGGINS HUGHES

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With a great sense of loss and deep sadness, the family of Nancy Hughes announces her passing April 5, 2007. A spirited and courageous seven year battle with lung cancer came to an end at Hadlow House, Community Hospice of Jacksonville, Fla. Nancy passed peacefully from this life into the next surrounded by her loving family. Nancy was born Aug. 2, 1933, in Presque Isle. She was the third child and only daughter of Frank L. and Marie (Washburn) Higgins. Nancy graduated an honor student from Presque Isle High School in 1951, where she was a varsity cheerleader and active in numerous school organizations. She subsequently graduated from the Mary Fletcher Hospital School of Nursing, Burlington, Vt., in 1954. In December of that year, she married her high school sweetheart, Ensign Ernest J. Hughes, U.S. Navy, at the Con-gregational Church, Presque Isle, her family church. Nancy worked for a number of hospitals and medical offices during her and her husband’s travels, until her first child was born in December 1960. She chose to re-enter the work field in 1976 and went to work in the payroll department of the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics. Nancy opted for a new career field that would enable her to balance work and numerous family activities. During the following years, her husband’s recurring assignment changes required several moves to the four corners of the country and points in between. She was a game partner, always eager and willing for another location and new challenge. This remarkable strength of character led her husband to note time and time again that, as in the song, she was the wind beneath his wings. Nancy retired again in 1988 and kept busy with volunteer work. In 1994, she was named Volunteer of the Year for the American Red Cross, Idaho Falls, Idaho. In 2000, she was given the Special Services Award for her volunteer work in support of the Theatre of Youth at the Jewish Community Alliance of Jacksonville, Fla. Prophetically, her last volunteer work in 2004, and that which she enjoyed most, was with Hospice of Eastern Idaho. Nancy enjoyed all outdoor activities, particularly skiing, camping and boating. She also enjoyed traveling, the theatre, college and professional football. She never tired of traveling in the Rocky Mountain west. But, most of all, she enjoyed her four children and eight grandchildren by whom she will be sorely missed. Nancy is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 53 years, Ernest; her three daughters, Holly Hughes and Shelly Higgins Hughes of Jack-sonville, Fla., and Karen Hirst and husband, Jim, of Fairfax, Va.; her son, David E. Hughes and wife, Beth, of Auburn, Ala.; two brothers, Dr. George Higgins and wife, Caroline, and Paul Higgins and wife, Darlene; one sister-in-law, Joan G. Brewer, all of Presque Isle; eight grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at the Presque Isle Congregational Church, Presque Isle, the point of origin of Nancy’s memorable journey through life. Those wishing to remember Nancy in special way, may make a contribution to the Nancy Higgins Hughes Memorial Fund, Presque Isle Congregational Church, 27 Church St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville, Fla.