Helen Higgins

Stonington - Helen (Weyl) Higgins, 82, of Pawcatuck, wife of the late Eugene C. Higgins Sr., passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, May 12, 2013, at home.

Born in Wilmington, Del., on Feb. 21, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Dorothy (DeShields) Weyl. She raised her family in Stonington Borough, and was a resident of Pawcatuck for the past six years.

She was a communicant at St. Mary Church in Stonington. She was active in the Daughters of Isabella, a troop leader with the Brownies and Girl Scouts, and a member of the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, where she enjoyed playing bingo. She was also an Avon representative and volunteered her time with the SHS Athletic Boosters. She enjoyed reading, embroidery, and took great delight in baking Christmas cookies for her grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend to all who knew her.

She is survived by her 12 children and their spouses, Carol Moran and Eugene C. Higgins Jr., both of Pawcatuck, Edward Higgins and his wife, Victoria, of Stonington, Cynthia Gardiner and her husband, Scott, of Westerly, Catherine Girard and her husband, John, of Pawcatuck, Cheryl Garland of Dallas, Texas, Donna Jones and her husband, Matthew, of Bristol, Mark Higgins and his fiancée, Alicia Clay, of Middletown, Eileen Cerniglia and her husband, Richard, of Mystic, Bianca Soares and her husband, John, of Westerly, John Higgins and his wife, Holly, of Pawcatuck, Kevin Higgins and his fiancée, Melissa Whipple, of Houston, Texas; 14 grandchildren, Eric and Keith Moran, Erin Tsiakiris, Courtney Higgins, Danica Valentine, Chanel Gardiner, Joshua, Patrick, and Christopher Girard, Matthew and Glen Jones, Brittany and Maxx Higgins, and Jessica Soares; five great-grandchildren, Christos, Revekka, and Stella Tsiakiris, Mia and Sienna Valentine; her sisters, Louise, Betsy, and Sherry; her brother, Frankie of Delaware; numerous nieces and nephews; and her best friend, Ralph Gradilone of Pawcatuck.

She was predeceased by a daughter, Barbara Higgins, and two sons-in-law, James Moran and Eric Garland.

Her family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, at the Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1, 51 Williams Ave., Mystic. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Mary Church, 95 Main St., Stonington. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, Route 27, Mystic.

Please visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave an online message of condolence.