CHARLESTON – Shirley F. Higgins, 94, wife of the late Henry A. “Bud” Higgins, passed away March 23, 2013, surrounded by her family at a Bangor hospital after a short illness. She was born Oct. 31, 1918, in Charleston, the daughter of Stanley and Marjorie (Brown) Foss.
She graduated from Higgins Classical Institute in 1936. Shirley was married to Henry for 68 years. In 1952 Shirley and Henry started a grain business that continued to grow for several years and is still operated by their family. She worked for the Postal Service in Charleston for 31 years. Shirley was a member of Order of the Eastern Star and Charleston United Baptist Church, where she played the organ for many years. The purchase of a camp on Sebec Lake in 1966 proved to be one of her greatest enjoyments. Shirley spent the last three years living with her son, Robert and daughter-in-law, Lorraine, allowing her to spend a lot of quality time with her family.
Surviving are a son, Robert S. Higgins and his wife, Lorraine, of Charleston; three grandchildren, Lois-Ann Gleeson and her husband, Peter, of Cape Elizabeth, Robert H. Higgins and his wife, Trisha, of Charleston and Julie Purvis and her husband, Mark, of Blue Hill; seven great-grandchildren, Sarah and Thomas Gleeson, Emily, Samantha and Chase Higgins, and James and Hailey Purvis; several nieces and nephews, and many special friends that she made throughout the years. Shirley was predeceased by three brothers, Clinton, Eugene and Vance Foss.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. April 28 at Charleston United Baptist Church. Those who wish may make donations in Shirley’s memory to their favorite charity. Arrangements are in care of Thompson Funeral Home, 17 Hudson Road, Corinth. Please visit www.ThompsonFuneralHome.org.
Shirley F. Higgins
