Lisa M. Higgins

PITTSFIELD-Lisa Marie Higgins (52) died on April 6, 2023, in her hometown of Pittsfield after long-term issues with diabetes.
Lisa was born on September 29, 1970, and shortly after adopted by Kendall Edward and Violet (Vi) Foster Higgins. Lisa was beloved by her parents and had a close relationship with them. The family was well known and respected by many in town for kindness and neighborliness.
After Kendall's premature death in 1986, Lisa only grew closer to her mother, who would remain a constant and supportive presence in her life until Vi passed away in 2017. They spent countless hours together on shopping trips, eating out at their favorite restaurants, celebrating holidays, having coffee with friends, and so much more. They occasionally didn't see eye-to-eye on a matter, but they always shrugged it off. After Vi's death, Lisa missed her terribly.
Lisa treasured her friendships throughout her life, and her friends treasured her, whether near or far. As one of her favorite books from childhood, Anne of Green Gables, put it, "True friends are always together in spirit."
Lisa epitomized the best qualities of friendship: love, loyalty, constancy, appreciation, and pure enjoyment in time spent just talking and catching up. Smart and insightful, Lisa often could put her finger on the salient point of a subject and was astute when it came to current events. Despite a measure of shyness and reticence, Lisa is well remembered for her unfailing warm smile and sharp wit. She loved to joke and laugh enthusiastically.
Childhood friends remember many happy times at her house over the years, for slumber and pool parties, listening to music, eating delicious home-cooked meals, and letting their imaginations run wild in all sorts of fun activities. Music was a source of enjoyment for her going back to the 1980s bands and songs of her teen years. She relished concerts she attended with friends including a memorable evening with Hall & Oates in the old Bangor Civic Center.
After high school at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Lisa attended the former Westbrook College earning an associate's degree in 1991 in business and secretarial studies. She worked at Northeast Occupational Exchange based in Bangor and Newport through 2022 as an insurance specialist. Not surprisingly, she made lifelong friends at work as well.
At home, Lisa loved her cat companions, Willow and Riley, who provided hours of enjoyment for her. A cat lover since she was little, she showered love and affection on her animal friends just as she did with human ones. A longtime, loyal friend of Lisa's, Missie (Stoddard) Munford, famous for sending Lisa thoughtful care packages-always promised to adopt her cats if anything happened to her; Lisa would be so happy to know that is taking place. The cats will be moving to Virginia with Missie, Darren, Ross, and Cameron Munford.
Lisa was an excellent cook and baker and enjoyed talking about and trying new recipes as much as making tried and true favorites. She loved to redecorate and think about how she might redesign her home; she had an eye for both comfort and beauty. Everyone who stepped inside her door felt welcomed.
In the final year of her life, when health issues became increasingly debilitating, Lisa relied on several people close to her in the local area. She greatly appreciated how much they did for her and they were happy to be able to-whether to build a ramp for her wheelchair, feed her cats on a daily basis, get her mail, bring her dinners or have her over for meals, do laundry, or just sit and talk. Several out-of-town friends wished they could have been there more often; regardless, Lisa was always glad for in-person visits or to connect by phone or text and pick up as if they'd just talked the day before. Lisa's smiling face will be missed by many.
Lisa was predeceased by her father Kendall, mother Violet, and a "special aunt" Evelyn Higgins. Lisa is survived by close friends, cousins, and her cats, Willow and Riley.
A special thank you to the nurses at Sebasticook Valley Hospital for being so attentive to Lisa during her long stays. Thank you to Colleen Martin for taking care of Willow and Riley during her long stays at the hospital.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Powers Cemetery, Route 2, West Pittsfield, with Pastor Bill Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bangor Humane Society where Willow and Riley were adopted.
To leave a message of kindness or to share a memory, please visit www.shoreynichols.com.
Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Pittsfield.