Cynthia Millett Higley

Cynthia Millett Higley, 86, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, in Slidell.

Cynthia was born Cynthia Margaret Lurker in Rosebank, Staten Island, New York, to Albert H. Lurker and Filomena Lurker, on October 5, 1937. She graduated from St. John Villa Academy in 1955. She was a 'striking, blue eyed, beauty', and an athlete who pursued numerous sports, among them softball, tennis, bowling, basketball and skiing. While still in her teens, she joined an all-boys team, and participated as an equal member, when a female sandlot did not exist. She and the St. Joseph's girls' softball team later won the Archdiocesan championship of the CYO Metropolitan League, played at Yankee Stadium. 

Miss Lurker began her career with the FBI in the 1950s, where she met and married her children's father, Mr. John J. Millett Jr.  Mr. and Mrs. Millett moved to Matawan, NJ, where she became active in the Parent Teacher Association, serving as President of Strathmore Elementary School in 1974. She also actively served in her local parish, St. Benedict's Church, where she led several after-school CCD, catechism classes, served as a church secretary, planned liturgies and became one of the first women lay ministers in the region. She won many trophies for tennis and bowling, and volunteered to support her children's swim teams, scouting and team sports.  

Mrs. Millett returned to work in the mid 1970's and pursued a career in advertising in Manhattan. She worked at American Artist, Billboard and Teacher Magazines, and the American Kennel Club (AKC), eventually becoming a director of advertising. In 1981, she moved to Slidell, LA, and acquired Dave Streiffer Company, a small duty-free ship supply based out of New Orleans, transforming it into one of the top female owned businesses in the New Orleans area, and the largest duty-free wholesale operations in the US Gulf of Mexico region. 

Ms. Higley was a devoted and active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish of the Catholic Church. There, she attended mass daily and participated in Adoration to the blessed sacrament. She is also active in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other twelve step groups. Following Katrina, she founded the Serenity Organization, dedicated to the advancement of twelve step groups in support of her community.  

Mrs. Cynthia Millett Higley is survived by her brother, Mr. Albert Lurker (Clare) her children, Jeanne M. Millett, John G. Millett (Angela), James G. Millett (Tara), and Joseph G. Millett (Jacqueline), as well as her 12 loving grandchildren, John, Jordan, Joseph James, Michelle, Tristan, Ivy, Joe-Joe, Camryn, Jack, Marina, Genevieve and Max, and 4 great grandchildren. She is also survived by four sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, and many loving nieces and nephews, as well as her loving companion, Mr. Charles Hagerman. She was a faithful animal lover and is also survived by her beloved dog, Mugzie.  

A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 400 Westchester Blvd Slidell LA 70458 on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:00am followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00am.

Burial will be at a later date.

There will be a second Funeral Mass held at St. Clement Parish, 172 Freneau Avenue Matawan, NJ 07747, on Saturday December 16, 2023. Family visitation beginning at 9:00am, with Funeral Mass at 9:30am. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your preferred recovery group, your local church, or an animal assistance charity in her memory.