Rose Higgins

Rose M. Higgins, 99

Worcester - Rose M. (McGarrell) Higgins, 99, died Wednesday, November 12, 2014 after a brief illness following a long happy life.

Her husband of 63 years, John C. Higgins, Jr., died in 2003.

She leaves four children, John C. Higgins III and his wife Imelda of West Roxbury, Garrell J. Higgins of Worcester, Mark J. Higgins and his wife Donna of Seekonk, and Susan M. Coomey and her husband Michael of Paxton; eight grandchildren, Orla Higgins Averill, Carmel Higgins, Claire Higgins, Jennifer Kavanagh, Mary Higgins, Thomas Higgins, Joshua Coomey and Sarah Coomey; three great-grandchildren, Anna and Ronan Averill, and Jack Kavanagh; and nieces and nephews.

Her sisters, Jeannette Broderick, Alice Hill and Martha Gosler, predeceased her.

Rose was born in Worcester, daughter of Joseph W. and Mary (Sherry) McGarrell and graduated from Commerce High School.

After high school, Rose worked at the Fitzhenry Cadillac Company in Worcester. When she married in 1939, she moved to Baltimore and worked for the State Dept. and the Social Security Administration. In 1943, she returned to Worcester and was a Social Security claims representative in its Waltham and Worcester offices for many years. From 1964 to 1985, she was a school secretary in the Worcester Public Schools including many years at Burncoat Senior High School.

Since 1930, she was a member of St. Bernard's Parish, now known as Our Lady of Providence Parish. She was a former member of St. Stephen's Parish. She volunteered at the Worcester Public Library.

Rose enjoyed traveling with her husband, line dancing, embroidery, cake decorating and other crafts. Most notably, Rose was devoted to her family and home, the centers of her life.

The funeral Mass will be Saturday, November 15, at 11 a.m. in St. Bernard's Church, 228 Lincoln St., Worcester. Burial in St. John's Cemetery will be private. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.

The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester is directing arrangements.