ALBION and BELFAST – Muriel Doris Northrup Higgins, 102, went home to be with her precious Lord and Savior, April 16, 2010, at Harbor Hill, Belfast, where she had resided since 2004. She was born March 17, 1908, in Kings County, New Brunswick, the daughter of Joshua and Maude (Spragg) Northrup. She married Roland C. Higgins, Oct. 3, 1927, and they made their home in Albion. Muriel became a naturalized citizen of the U.S., June 17, 1953. In 1986, they sold their home and moved to Belfast, and then Roland died, March 30, 1989. She missed him greatly from that very day and longed to be with him. She was a very special wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and friend. All who knew her loved her special kisses and hugs. Muriel was a hard worker and a wonderful homemaker. She worked at Monmouth Canning Factory, Freedom, and worked for several years at Bethany Nursing Home. She was always helping those in need. Muriel had a special gift of hospitality, which she shared with anyone that set foot in her house. You would seldom leave without a cup of coffee or tea and a snack. Many times if you didn’t eat it there you would certainly need to take something with you. She was a member of Albion Christian Church where she served as a deaconess for many years. She would always pick people up for Sunday school and church. She just loved serving the Lord. The following poem was found in her Bible that was a motto she lived by, it is entitled: “Others” Brightly beams our Savior’s message, Which was sent from shore to shore; It was simply one word – “Others” And ’twill live forevermore. Bear ye one another’s burdens; This the law of Christ doth say; And, like Him, preferring others, In that self-forgetful way. If you live your life for others, You, yourself shall blessed be; When to others you take blessings, Blessings will return to thee. Let me live my life for others; Others, let my motto be; Help me, Lord, to do for others As I would they’d do for me. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by two sisters, Mabel Plum and Blanch McDowell; a brother, Curtis Northrup; and a daughter-in-law, Mary Higgins. She is survived by her sons, Allen Higgins of Albion and Milton Higgins and his wife, Patricia, of Belmont; and a special niece, Ruby Hanson of West Enfield. Also, she is survived by nine grandchildren, Susan Thompson, Sandra Littlefield, Sharon Torrey, Sally Higgins, Kathy Tobey, Elizabeth Grant, Shirley Diepenbrock, Debbie Ames and Milton Higgins Jr.; 20 great-grandchildren, Sonja, Crissy, Amanda, Victoria, James, Jennifer, Matthew, Shilo, Ashley, Johnathan, Travis, Patrick, Carmen Rae, Jeffrey, Amy, Jameson, Andria, Anna, Tristan and Caitlin; 10 great-great-grandchildren, many dear nieces and nephews. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, at Harbor Hill, 2 Footbridge Road, Belfast, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25, at Albion Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent for Shirley and David Diepenbrock, missionaries with New Tribes Missions in Papua New Guinea; or Milton and Wendy Higgins, missionaries with CEF at Neighborhood House, Belfast. Gifts can be sent to Jeanette Linsey, P.O. Box 26, Morrill, ME 04952. Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 107 Main St., Fairfield. Condolences may be expressed at www.lawrybrothers.com.
MURIEL DORIS NORTHRUP HIGGINS
