Patricia Charteris Higgins

1932 - 2021

Patricia Charteris Higgins

January 22, 1932- August 23, 2021

Paddy was born in Westcliff, England and enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the English countryside. She was the daughter of the renowned author Leslie Charteris, best known for the "The Saint" series, and Pauline Charteris Rose, a literary agent. Leslie moved Paddy to the United States in September of 1939, booking passage on “The Empress of Britain” to escape the imminent threat of WWII. While crossing the Atlantic, they narrowly escaped the German U-boat torpedoes that sank the ocean liner beside them.

After landing in New York, she and Leslie travelled to his home in Palm Springs, CA. Paddy attended the Bishop School for Girls, a boarding school in La Jolla, California. She next attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, earning a degree in early childhood education. It was there that she met the love of her life, Byron Higgins. They married on his graduation day in June of 1953. After a honeymoon in Ludington, Michigan, Byron attended Officer Candidate School and they embarked on their lives as a career Naval couple. Their first duty station was in the Panama Canal Zone where they welcomed daughter, Kerry. Their next assignment took them to Connecticut and then off to Oahu, Hawaii, where son Kevin was born. A year later, they moved to Washington D.C. where they welcomed daughter Kelly. Subsequent tours included two more stations in Hawaii, Monterey, California, and twice more in Virginia.

During By's tours of duty he was frequently on submarine patrol for three-to-six months at a time, during which Paddy was an enthusiastic captain of the house. As a Naval Officer's wife, Paddy mentored the young wives struggling with the duties of being married to the Navy. In 1974, By retired from the Navy and they delightedly began their next chapter in Ludington, Michigan where he managed Lincoln Hills Golf Club with Paddy always by his side and frequently helping. She involved herself in many aspects of the club’s management from serving as hostess to working in the pro shop. Paddy enjoyed golfing two to three times a week and was an energetic social member of the club. She was an involved and loving mother and domestic goddess enjoying gardening and creative cooking. In her spare time, she was an enthusiastic volunteer at Memorial (Spectrum) Hospital. She logged over 7,500 hours and her duties included being a Pink Lady, mentoring the Candy Stripers, and serving as a lab escort. Paddy was also tireless in her volunteerism with the American Red Cross Blood Drives. She was honored with the Clara Barton award for her hard work. In 1994, she earned recognition as Ludington’s "Citizen of the Year" and was thrilled to participate in the 4th of July parade. One of the highlights of her retirement was riding in the parade waving gleefully at the crowds in son Kevin's McLaren sports car.

By and Paddy loved to travel and often visited their far-flung kids and grandkids in addition to cruises to Ireland, Spain, Paris, Prague, fishing trips to Alaska, and a river boat cruise on the Columbia River. In their later years, winters would take them to Orange Beach, AL. where they quickly made a cluster of new friends.

In the Autumn of 2016, Paddy and By decided to downsize to a Harbor Front Condo where Paddy delighted in the beautiful marina views and watching the daily departures and arrivals of the S.S. Badger.

In April of 2018, Paddy lost her beloved partner By, of 65 years.  She was able to continue living in her condo with assistance from family and the caregiving agency "Friends Who Care." Although Alzheimer’s Disease robbed her of much of her social life, she remained upbeat and cheerful to the very end. She enjoyed outings to the Ludington Senior Center, cribbage with daughter Kerry, daily phone calls from daughter Kelly, and many visits from her loving family and dear friends. She was dancing and singing until the end and greatly enjoyed her last two concerts at Waterfront Park.

Paddy's joy of life, positive attitude, and unending gratitude was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. She leaves behind a family that will forever miss her. Daughter Kerry (Scrivens) and husband Paul, reside in Ludington; Son Kevin and wife Debbie in Ohio, and daughter Kelly (Murray) and husband Chris in Bozeman, Montana. She also leaves her treasured eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Her wishes are to be cremated and her ashes to be co-mingled with her beloved By and interred at Lakeview Cemetery. Arrangements will be provided by Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service. In Paddy's memory please consider a donation to the Ludington Senior Center where she enjoyed exercise classes, socializing, and Bingo.

The family will plan a memorial for next summer to honor this remarkable woman and celebrate a beautiful and well-lived life.