1953 - 2015
HARTWICK - Mary E. Higgins, 61, of Hartwick, passed away December 14, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown with her family by her side following a long illness.
Born December 26, 1953, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, Mary was one of nine children of James H. and Kathleen M. (Healy) Millea. She graduated with the Class of 1972 from Cooperstown Central School.
She was first employed for the IRS in lower Manhattan. In the 1980s she owned and operated The Hub Coffee Shop and General Store in Hartwick. She then worked for the Otsego County Sheriff's Department until 1994, at which time she became employed by The Leatherstocking Corporation where she worked until very recently.
Mary met Orrin D. Higgins at a dance at the Fly Creek Hotel. The pair was a perfect match and they were married July 29, 1974, in a ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cooperstown.
Mary's greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved being outdoors and building campfires on the hill. She learned to play the piano with her dear friend Linda, practicing yoga and Zumba, and Irish Step Dancing.
She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Orrin of Hartwick; three daughters, Brenda Nass (Bryan) of Ellensburg, Washington, Tamara Ashley (Matt) of Cortland, and Carrie Higgins Lorenz (Mike) of Hartwick; son Orrin D. Higgins, Jr. (Melissa) of Hartwick; special member of the family, Paige Shaul; and four grandchildren, Mitchell and Morghan Nass of Ellensburg, WA and Lily and Sawyer Higgins of Hartwick.
She is further survived by her seven brothers and one sister and their families: Thomas Millea (Carole) and Denis Millea (Janice), all of Peru, NY, James Millea of Scottsdale, AZ, Joe Millea (Susan) of Yacolt, WA, Pat Millea (Wendy) of Maryland, NY, Mike Millea of Hartwick, NY, Robert Millea (Sukena) of Atlanta, GA, and Eileen Murdock (Bob) of Hartwick; and her father, James Millea of Hartwick.
She was predeceased by her beloved mother, Kathleen Millea.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Miss Jane Clark and The Leatherstocking Corporation, Maryanne Kehoe, Bassett 3rd floor and SCU, and many friends and family for all of their support
A time to gather and visit with Mary's family will be offered from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.
For those who wish to remember Mary with a memorial gift, her family suggests that the following organizations be considered: A tuition scholarship in Mary's name for The O'Donnell-Kelly School of Irish Dance (please contact Kathleen O'Donnell at 607-293-6199); or The Kinney Memorial Library, P.O. Box 176, Hartwick, NY 13348.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
