Dr. Janet B. Higgins

Dr. Janet B. Higgins died January 28, 2017 at home. Her parents, Carrie and Henry Bienert, Sr.; her twin brother James Bienert; and her brother Thomas Bienert predeceased her. She is survived by her husband of nearly 49 years, Earl J. Higgins; three sons, Sean Higgins (Julie ), Matthew Higgins; and Christian Higgins (Kim); and five grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Henry Bienert, Jr., M.D., and her sister Carol B. Allain. Janet attended St. Scholastica Academy and graduated from St. Joseph Academy before entering Newcomb College. She finished Newcomb with a degree in biology, then to L.S.U. Medical School from which she graduated in 1970. She was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and Practiced internal medicine and rheumatology in the greater New Orleans area, Baton Rouge, Houma and Biloxi. Janet was intensely compassionate and filled with a Christian sense of devotion to her family, her friends, her patients. Deeply religious, she was a member of the Sodality of the Children of Mary. She befriended strangers, giving them rides, sharing food, inviting them to Thanksgiving dinner, offering them encouragement. Janet was a lifelong learner, especially of languages and the arts. She was fluent in French and Spanish and used her language skills in travel and in communication with patients. She was always ready to go out to eat at small restaurants, bakeries, and ethnic eateries. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus Church 6367 St. Charles Ave. on Friday February 3, 2017 at 11 A.M. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until Mass time. Burial will be at a later date in Massachusetts National Cemetery on Cape Cod. Memorial gifts may be made to the Tulane University Catholic Center, www.catholic.tulane.edu and to Jesuit High School, www.jesuitnola.org. Arrangements by JACOB SCHOEN & SON FUNERAL HOME. Condolences may be left at www.schoenfh.com.