Viola Claudette Higgins

Viola Claudette (Messier) Higgins, 98, of Sunset Acres, 45 Washington Street, Plainville, Massachusetts died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Friday, August 17, 2007 at the Madonna Manor Nursing Home in North Attleboro where she made her home for the past four years. She was the wife of the late Elliott J. Higgins who died on January 18, 1988.

Born in the Hebronville section of Attleboro on May 2, 1909, she was a daughter of the late Adelard and Rosanna (Houle) Messier who had immigrated to the United States from Canada.

She was raised and educated in Attleboro where she was a graduate of Attleboro High School. Mrs. Higgins resided in Attleboro until moving to Plainville more than 45 years ago and in June 2003 she moved to the Madonna Manor Nursing Home in North Attleboro.

Mrs. Higgins and her late husband were the owners and operators of the Wonderland Motel in Plainville and were the founders and owners and operators of Higgins Mobile Homes, Inc. of Plainville, a business now run by their son and grandson.

During her years in Attleboro she was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church and in more recent years attended St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church with her family in the Attleboro Falls section of North Attleboro.

Her favorite pastimes included crocheting, gardening and flowering and she was an ardent Boston Red Sox fan.

A talented musician, she played the organ for decades and taught her musical talents to other family members.

She leaves two children: Robert E. “Buzzy” Higgins, Sr. and his wife, Eleanor (Fonseca) Higgins, of Plainville and Norma Mikaelian of Richmond, Virginia and New Brunswick, Canada; three grandchildren: Robert E. Higgins, Jr. of Rehoboth; Susan Higgins of Norton and Dianne Barba of Richmond, Virginia; 7 great grandchildren; a sister: Loretta Soullier of North Attleboro and numerous nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Irene Charron, Antoinette Ousley, Rose Sullivan, Alice Rappineau, Michael Messier, Albert Messier, Adrienne Parker and Lucienne Roberts.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Monday, August 20, 2007 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM in the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.

Children’s room available during visitation.

Those in need of a ride to visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 8:45 AM from the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 133 North Main Street – Route 152, Attleboro Rev. Richard Roy, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church, Attleboro, celebrant.

Burial will follow in North Purchase Cemetery, Attleboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Madonna Manor Nursing Home Nursing Home Resident Activities Fund, 85 North Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760 in honor of the family’s gratitude to the facility’s wonderful care and to honor Mrs. Higgins’ fellow residents.

To send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an on-line guest book located on the internet at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
(508) 695-0200.