Catherine T Higgins

Catherine Theresa Higgins, age 88, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2021, surrounded by members of her large family. Catherine was born in New York City on October 20, 1932, the second of two children of Nora and George Gallagher. Catherines father died when she was only three, and she and her brother James were raised by Nora and the family of her older sister, Molly Sheehan, in crowded but loving apartments in the Bronx and Manhattan. Catherine met her husband, Thomas (1931-2015), at Greenwood Lake, New Jersey, which was a popular vacation spot for New Yorkers in the 1950s. Thomas and Catherine were married at Saint Monicas Church on the Upper Eastside of New York on February 1, 1958, and they had their first child, Maureen Higgins Vitalone (currently of Parsippany), in 1959. More children followedmany more, as they were blessed with a large family of eight: Thomas Patrick Higgins (of Montclair, wife Lisa Verge Higgins); Patricia Ann Mefford (of Butler, husband Scott Mefford); Tara Mary Shinnick (of Clifton, Virginia, husband Stephen Shinnick); William Francis Higgins (of Butler, wife Jennifer Higgins); Carol Ann Peles (of Rockaway, husband Matthew Peles); Christopher Patrick Higgins (of Butler, wife Kim Higgins); and Brian Michael Higgins (of Oakland, wife Suzanne Higgins). They lost one child at birth, a daughter named Mary Catherine, in 1967. Catherine and Thomas moved to Wayne from New York City as their family grew. They lived for more than forty-three years in Wayne, moving to Kinnelon in 2009. Catherine was proud of her Irish Catholic heritage, and she marched regularly in the Saint Patricks Day Parade in New York City with members of her family and The Catholic League. After her eight children were grown and out of the house, Catherine worked for many years at Annie Sez in Wayne, retiring at age 70. Catherine and Thomas were devoted parishioners of Our Lady of Consolation in Wayne, and were active in the foundation and establishment of the parish in the 1960s. Catherine and Thomas were also Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for decades, visiting the elderly in nursing homes in our local areas. In recent years, Catherine resided in the Butler Senior Community and was a regular parishioner at St. Anthonys Church in Butler. Catherine is survived by her eight children, and also by the seventeen young people who brought such joy to her during her life, her grandchildren. Her grandkids called her Mimi, and they are Caitlin A. Higgins, Molly F. Higgins, Casey T. Mefford, Sean W. Mefford, Maeve E. Higgins, Claire E. Shinnick, Emma C. Shinnick, Allison C. Higgins, Gabriella K. Higgins, Stephen P. Shinnick, Sarah O. Higgins, Daniel T. Shinnick, David K. Higgins, Matthew T. Higgins, James M. Peles, Declan T. Higgins and Cara G. Higgins. Mimi loved all her grandchildren, and all her children, dearly. They all loved her, and will miss her terribly. They take comfort in knowing that she is now joined with her husband Thomas, her mother and father, her angel baby Mary, and all her dear friends and relatives who await her arrival with joy. May Catherine Theresa Higgins rest eternally in joy and peace, in the place prepared for her by her Savior Jesus Christ, where God wipes all tears from the eyes of the faithful departed. Viewing hours will be Friday, January 8, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at The Morrison Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Avenue, Butler, NJ. A funeral Mass will be held on the same day at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, 65 Bartholdi Avenue, Butler, NJ. Burial to follow in Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes. The new limit on indoor gatherings for facilities is 25% of the maximum allowable building occupancy. Morrison Funeral Home will be able to accept 25 people at a time wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Visitors will be required to use hand sanitizer. Temperatures will be taken. . Visitation The Morrison Funeral Home Friday, January 08, 2021 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Email Details 86 Bartholdi Ave.Butler, NJ 07405 Directions Mass St. Anthony RC Church Friday, January 08, 2021 11:30 AM Email Details 65 Bartholdi AveButler, NJ 07405 Directions Burial Christ The King Cemetery Friday, January 08, 2021 1:00 PM Email Details 980 Huran AveFranklin Lakes, NJ 07417 Directions