Patricia Higgins

1934 - 2024

Patricia Higgins

August 15, 1934 - October 20, 2024

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, Patricia "Pat" Higgins, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at BeeHive Homes in Butte.

Born Irene Patricia Sullivan on August 15, 1934, in Anaconda, Mont., to James and Cecelia (Sugrue) Sullivan, Pat was the oldest of four children. She and her siblings, Connie, Jim Jr., and Kathy grew up on East Park Street, where their parents owned and operated a service station for many years. They later moved to the family home on W. Third Street. According to family stories, Pat was very studious and responsible, and she was always trying to keep her younger siblings in line, often with no success. She had many fond memories of her childhood growing up in Anaconda.

After graduating from Anaconda Central High School in 1952, Pat attended St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kan., where she graduated in 1956. She then set off for Spokane, Wash., to begin her career as a medical technologist. During one of her many trips back to Anaconda to visit her family, she met a handsome man from Seattle who was working in the area. She and Eugene Higgins were married in Anaconda in 1962 and moved to Seattle. Pat was not only a new wife, but she became mom to Gene's young son, Mike. She loved Seattle and all it had to offer. She began her career at Northwest Hospital as a lab technologist, eventually becoming the Chief Technologist of the medical lab there. She served as President of the Washington State Medical Technologists Society for several years. She and Gene built a home on Lake Washington, which was the center of many happy gatherings for family and friends. They loved hosting dinners and card games and spent countless hours swimming and boating and relaxing on their dock on the lake. Attending Husky football games at the University of Washington was a favorite activity.

In 1974, they moved to Anaconda, and Pat enjoyed "retirement" for a while. She took up golf, playing in the ladies leagues at the Anaconda Country Club, and participating in every tournament that she could. She even got a hole-in-one, and it always made her smile when she saw her picture on the wall there! She loved the game but loved the friendships she formed even more. She was also an avid card player, having learned to play cards from her parents as a child. She loved all kinds of card games, particularly bridge. She was an avid and accomplished bridge player and enjoyed time spent playing with her many bridge friends and partners. Eventually, Pat decided to go back to work. She became the Tri-County Sanitarian, and so began her second career. She loved her work travelling around Deer Lodge, Granite and Powell counties, seeing new places and meeting new people. She eventually retired for good in 1996.

Pat loved the holidays, especially Christmas. She always hosted a big Christmas Eve dinner for family and friends, followed by several card games that went on well into the early morning hours. She was very competitive and always played for money. Many happy memories were made around the table playing cards and visiting and laughing. She enjoyed many winter trips to Las Vegas to visit her sister, Connie, gamble, golf and just have fun! She adored her grandson, Max, and loved to spoil him with all the "coolest" birthday and Christmas gifts. She was a big football fan and prospered from her Irish Luck by winning many football boards over the years. Pat was a voracious reader, always had a pot of coffee on and cherished the love of her many pet "puppies". Pat and Gene were frequent patrons of the Copper Club and appreciated a big steak and a dry martini.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene; sister, Kathy Devit; brother-in-law, Denny Devitt; and brother, Jim. She is survived by her sister, Connie McKinley of Las Vegas, NV; son, Mike (Lynn) Higgins of Anthem, AZ; grandson, Max Higgins of Anthem, AZ; sister-in-law, Donna Sullivan of Billings, MT; and numerous dear cousins, nieces and nephews.

Her family would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the staff at BeeHive Homes and Dr. Shawna Yates for their gentle and compassionate care.

Services are planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Pat's memory to a charity of your choice.

Those we love don't go away,

They walk beside us every day,

Unseen, unheard, but always near,

Still loved, still missed and very dear.

Please visit www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Pat.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home & Cremation Services

107 Oak Street, Anaconda, MT 59711

406-563-3371