Mary Higgins

Mary Butler Higgins died peacefully in her sleep March 1, 2012.She was 84 and a resident of Delray Beach, Fla.She was preceded in death by her husband, former Minnesota State Senator Raymond John Higgins.Mary?s sheer love of life, her enthusiasm, her eagerness to hear and to solicit the stories of all around her - and sometimes of complete strangers - endeared her to everyone she ever met. She leaves behind a wonderful legacy that focused on faith, family and friends.She was born in St. Paul, Minn., to Robert Butler and Margaret Porter Butler. Mary?s father was an ambassador to Cuba and Australia during the Truman Administration. She graduated from the Summit School, St. Paul; Dana Hall School, Wellesley, Mass.; and attended Mills College in San Francisco, Calif. Her family was always first and foremost and to whom she was a constant source of support and inspiration.Mary adored being a devoted wife to Ray; and an adoring mother and mother-in-law to Ray Higgins of Daniels, W.Va., Betsy and Roy Little of Tiburon, Calif., Andrea and Alexander Bierce of Charlotte, N.C., Tom and Jackie Higgins of Vail, Colo., and Wendy and Don Chambers of Princeton, N.J. Mary, known as Grams and Mimi by her grandchildren, was extraordinarily proud of her grandchildren, Torrie Higgins, Chris and Andrew Little, Laura Little Morris, Cameron, Alex, and Jenny Bierce, Blake, Hillary, Jackson, and Raymie Higgins, Katie Hayes, and Josh and Tyler Chambers; and four great-grandchildren, Molly and Foster Little and Teddy and Pierce Morris. She was thrilled with her two granddaughters-in-law, Liz Little and Kelley Bierce; and her grandson-in-law, Halsey Morris.She was the consummate volunteer, who flourished by helping others. Her lifelong volunteer work ranged from extraordinary work with: Hospice by the Sea, Boca Raton; St. Mary?s Hospital in Duluth, the Duluth Symphony; Sandoway House, Delray Beach; The Garden Club of America; The Junior League; Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth and St. Vincent Ferrer Church, Delray Beach. With her many achievements, she will be remembered above all by the hundreds of people who knew her as a giving and caring woman. Her life was always brightened by those she loved, and she found strength in her faith. Her expressions to others of -Make it happen,? -Hope someone does something nice for you,? -You?re not fully dressed without a smile,? -You can be and do anything you set your mind to do,? will resonate with those whose lives she touched.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Rosary School, Development Office, 2802 E. Fourth St., Duluth, MN 55812, or Mary would simply be honored by you doing something kind for someone else.A visitation and saying of the Rosary will be held on Friday, March 9, in Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth from 5 to 7 p.m. The Funeral will be held on Saturday, March 10, at 9 a.m. in Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2802 E. Fourth St., in Duluth.Following the internment at Calvary Cemetery, Duluth, a luncheon celebrating her life will be shared at the Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E. Superior St., Duluth.