WORCESTER - Colleen Anne (McLaughlin) Higgins died peacefully at her home in Worcester February 24, 2013 after a prolonged struggle with ill health.
She was born March 25, 1945 in Seattle, WA and spent her childhood in Woburn, MA. She was born to parents Dr. Laurence S. and Elizabeth (Bette) McLaughlin, and was the oldest child of five.
Colleen attended St. Charles Grammar and High School, graduating with the class of 1962. She attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, graduating in 1966 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She earned a master's degree at the University of Kentucky.
Her first teaching assignment was at the Columbia Point Housing Project in Boston. She truly enjoyed her kindergarten pupils. She took a break to raise her two children then worked at Lechmere department store. She then returned to school and became an administrative assistant working at Hanover and AllMerica until her retirement.
Colleen was very creative and evidence of that was seen in the home she shared with her two sons, Michael and Matthew. She offered an 'open door' policy for all their friends through the growing years. Colleen was an avid reader and music lover, and enjoyed games such as Jeopardy, at which she excelled. She loved all animals, especially sea mammals and the many cats she shared her home with throughout her life.
Colleen was a lifelong devoted Catholic. She found great solace in her faith, especially in her later years.
Colleen leaves two beloved sons, Michael McLaughlin Higgins of Worcester, and Matthew Nathaniel Higgins of New Orleans, LA. She was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Laurence McLaughlin. She is survived by four siblings; Kathleen McLaughlin-Smith and her husband, Hank, of Boston; Susan Nelson and her husband, Bob, of Hampton, N.H.; Nancy Johnson and her husband, Steven, of Gloucester, MA; and John McLaughlin and his wife, Sharron, of Groveland, MA. Colleen is survived by her paternal aunt and godmother, Joan Roy, of Westford, MA. She is further survived by eight nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed.
Calling hours are Friday, March 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral Mass will be Saturday, March 2 at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial will be private.
You may send flowers or make a donation in Colleen's name to National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106 (www.nmmf.org/give).