Ruth M. Higgins

Ruth Higgins Obituary

Ruth M. Higgins
1921 – 2009

Ruth Miller Higgins died peacefully in her sleep, on the 19th of April 2009, enveloped in the love of her family. She lived life on her terms to the very end, living independently until the last few days, spent with her son, Jim and his loving wife, Pam, her primary caregivers.
Ruth was born in Red Bank, New Jersey and spent her early adult life in New York City, NY, where she married George W. Higgins. Ruth also lived in St. Albans, Queens, NY, and Garden City South, NY, before moving to Anderson, SC, and, from there, to Everett, WA.
Her husband, George W. Higgins, predeceased her (in 1983), as did Uncle Ed Kowal (in 2006) who had made his home with the Higgins family since 1954. She was also predeceased by her brother, Jack Miller and her sister, Betty Chase.
Ruth is survived by four sons and their wives, John and Ann (Leesburg, VA), William and Connie (Scottsdale, AZ), James and Pamela (Everett, WA), and Robert and Lori, (Williamston, SC) and their families; seven grandchildren; two great-grand-children; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Thanks to the Providence Hospice team in Everett, WA, and to Dr. Thomas Pautler, whose retirement leaves a tremendous void in the care of Everett's elderly. He was peerless.
Those of us who knew and loved her know that she avoided pomp and circumstance; at her request, there will be no religious memorial. Her family asks that you rejoice in her life, her spirit, hold on to any memories you have and, if you wish, donate in her name to your local hospice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Herald (Everett) from May 1 to May 2, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Higgins

6 Entries

May 22, 2009

Its been a little more than a month,now, since Mom died. I must confess that I still think of her everyday, and miss her. I thought the distance in miles, from AZ to WA would help prepare me for when she would no longer be 'close '. I was wrong. I thought that when her hearing was so poor it was hard to impossible to talk to her on the phone, would make it easier when we could no longer talk at all. I was wrong. She loved letters. She could read them over and over again, unlilke a phone call. I have no one to write letters to, anymore. I'd be wrong again, to say that doesn't bother me. I could write and tell her anything and she appreciated it. It was sometimes a chore. It was easy to telephone - she'd be upset that it was 'my dime' - hey, Mom, its a cellular phone,unlimited minutes, we can talk all we want. She wasn't comfortable with that. And, then, she couldn't hear, anyway, so why bother? She would be 'upset' that the four boys could use that 'email thing' and talk back and forth, no doubt about her! She thought of getting 'on line' but, never did. She prefered, snail mail, write a letter, put a stamp on it and mail it. Wait for a response. Go up and check the mail and be overjoyed that someone wrote her a letter.

She loved to travel - and we shared many a journey. Those were great times!

Thanks Mom!

I love you, Mom!

I miss you, Mom!

I'll write you again, soon.

gladys Pim

May 5, 2009

To the Families of Higgins:
We in Central Everett Congregation has so many humorous and enjoyable experiences that we shared with Ruth.
I loved to see her beam whenever there was any mention of visits from her dear sons and their families.
The Monday group will miss our frequent visits.
I now would like to share a beautiful poem written by my twin brother, Glen Meritt: THE ROSE
It is only a tiny rosebud
A flower of God’s design
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I
The flower God opens so sweetly
In my hands would fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud
This flower of God’s design
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
For the pathway that lies before me
My heavenly father knows
I’ll trust him to unfold the moments
Just as he unfolds the rose. – glen Meritt - 2009
Glen is now in hospice care and soon there will be yet another loss.
But I have a "Hope towards God to entertain of a resurrection in a paradise earth."
Agape, gladys pim

John Miller

May 4, 2009

To my dear cousins,

As children our association was limited by geography, but I fondly remembered the few trips to Long Island and your visit to Red Hook, climbing the apple trees and pestering my sisters. As an adult I certainly enjoyed Aunt Ruth, Uncle George, Uncle Ed and all the Higgins guys when I did get to see you. And I will always be thankful for Robert's help with my sister Sally in San Francisco! Taking Dad to see Aunt Ruth in SC was a highlight as well as visiting her in WA while on tour. I think my last visit with her was at Carey's in Canada while visiting my Dad - Aunt Ruth's brother Jack. Love to all of you. The Lord has a special place for her and will help in our sorrow. Hope we might tell stories and share memories soon. Cousin Johnnie Miller

Carey & Jim Husband

May 4, 2009

She will definitely be missed and she is now with my dad, her brother Jack and trying to keep the peace with my mom, Norma.

Adele Erdle

May 2, 2009

Jim and Pam and family,

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Jim's mother.

We so look forward to the time when death will no longer have it's hold on mankind.

Fritz & Bev Dick

May 1, 2009

We want to share our sorrow in hearing about Ruth's death.
We have many memories about her and the one I really cherish is her glee about our lunch at Hooter's and how it would shock our friends. Of course it didn't but it gave her pleasure to think so.

She was a valued friend and we will have many things to remember her by.

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