Norma B. Higgins
June 6, 1930 - December 24, 2015
She was both an artist and musician; drawing and painting landscapes and still life and also playing the piano, organ and carillon.
June 6, 1930 - December 24, 2015
She was both an artist and musician; drawing and painting landscapes and still life and also playing the piano, organ and carillon.
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Norma B. Higgins, 85, formerly of Alfred Station, passed away Thursday (Dec. 24, 2015) at Highland Healthcare Center following a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Higgins was born on June 6, 1930 in Elmira to Norman L. and Bessie (Wood) Miller. She was a 1947 graduate and valedictorian of Thomas A. Edison High School, Elmira Heights. She earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Alfred University College of Ceramics. On Aug. 18, 1951, in the Alfred University Gothic Chapel, she married Wallace C. “Wally” Higgins, who survives. Norma worked as an archivist for special collections for Alfred University from 1964 until her retirement in 1987. During that span, she was also an assistant consultant with Wally, her husband for International Executive Service Corp., where they provided assistance on ceramic related problems in such distant places as Asia, Africa and South America. In addition to her husband of 64 years, Norma is survived by one son, Don (Cathy) Higgins of Ossian; two daughters, Laurie (Dick) Lang of Alfred Station and Sharon (Dan) Stiller of Andover; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Earl Higgins of Pendleton, S.C.; nine grandchildren, Samantha (Mark) Higgins-Tiano and Mellisa Higgins, both of Saugerties, Sarah (Mike Covel) Higgins of Fredericksburg, Va., Shanley (Alec) MacCrea of Alfred Station, Casey (Ashley) Keenan of Milford, Conn., Bethany Stiller, Thomas Stiller and Andrew Stiller, all of Andover and Sarah (Marty) Huckabone of Alfred; five great grandchildren, Mason Tiano, Madisyn Tiano, Brody Covel-Higgins, Alanna MacCrea and Conall MacCrea; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a son, Verne Higgins; a sister, Carol Groves and a great granddaughter, Lia Astrid Higgins. Norma lived a full and busy life. She was both an artist and musician; drawing and painting landscapes and still life and also playing the piano, organ and carillon. She was an avid reader and enjoyed solving crossword puzzles. Some of her children’s favorite memories were of times helping her create homemade crafts, Christmas cards and ornaments and then giving them out to the neighborhood kids and church members. Many of her daughter’s new school outfits, children’s Halloween costumes and ROTC student badges were sewn, assembled and attached at her sewing machine. Additionally, she was the “Chief Navigator”, “Official Map Reader” and “Financial Budget Officer” for her family’s annual vacation. Norma attended and was a member of Union University Church in Alfred. She was a member of the Alfred Book Club, a leader of the Alfred Cub Scouts and volunteered with the Wee Play House Theater. Also, she was active in the Alfred-Almond PTA, Union University Women’s Guild and the Lions Club International, where she became a member of the Zambia Lions Club. Friends are invited for a time of visitation on Friday (Jan. 8) from 3-5 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. The memorial service will be held on Saturday (Jan. 9) at 2:00 p.m. at the Union University Church in Alfred with Rev. Laurie DeMott, officiating. Memorial contributions in Norma’s name may be made to Union University Church, Organ/Piano Fund, 29 N. Main St., Alfred, NY 14802 or Allegany Senior Foundation, Inc., 6085 SR 19N, Belmont, NY 14813. |
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