Higgins (Brown), Violet May - It is with heavy hearts that we, the family, announce the passing of our beloved mother on September 28, 2023 at the age of 95.
Born in Caribou Gold Mines, Mum was the eldest daughter of the late Stanley and Stella (Benedict) Brown.
Mum is survived by her sons, Blake (Marilyn), Fonthill, ON; Bradford (Darlene), Middle Musquodoboit; Peter (Freda), Ottawa, ON; her daughters, Sharon Ruggles, Murchyville; Corinne (Robert) Fraser, Brookvale; Heather (Wayne) Higgins, Dartmouth; Cathy Higgins, Dartmouth; Elizabeth (Richard) Burdon, Dartmouth; brothers, Paul (Eileen) Brown, Dartmouth; Medford (Pamela) Brown, ON; Darrell Brown, Dartmouth; sister, Joyce Hovey, Truro; sisters-in-law, Lucille Logan, Whitby, ON; and Annie Brown, Dartmouth.
She is also survived by grandsons, Michael Ruggles, Derrick Ruggles, Adam Higgins, Jason Higgins, Clayton Higgins, Frank Higgins, Brenden Higgins, Gregory Higgins, Justin Burdon, Joel Burdon, Stephen Trenaman; her granddaughters, Angela Tuton, Denise VanWychen, Wendy Crocker, Barbara Burris, Tammy Higgins, Amanda Higgins, Jennifer Higgins, Alison Higgins, Stacey Lake, Chelsea Burdon; great-grandchildren, Ryan Ruggles, Jarrett Ruggles, Kyla Crocker, Brooke Brown, Danielle Burris, Brenden Burris, Carmen VanWychen, Isaac VanWychen, Sabrina Tuton, Jacob Higgins, Abby Turnbull, Vincent Higgins, Anna Higgins, Gregory Higgins, Emerson Gilbert, Hailey Wille, Myles MacLeod, Joshua Burdon, Everett Cooke, Ellie Cooke, Sophia Lake, Abby Lake, Violet Higgins, Waylon Higgins; and great-great-grandchildren, Peyton Wallace, and Nathaniel Brown.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Burnham Taylor Higgins; daughter, Deborah Trenaman; sons-in-law, Donald Ruggles, Bruce Trenaman; brothers, Bob, John, David, Russell, Roy; sisters, Irene, Pauline, Hazel; brother-in-law, Jim Hendriks; sister-in-law, Phyllis Brown; niece, Karen Hovey; nephews, Matthew Brown, and Peter Hovey.
As a young woman Mum was a teacher in a one room school, first in Higginsville and then in Murchyville where she met her husband, Burnham. It was here that they chose to live and raise their family. Over the years Mum took much pleasure in her role as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Her family meant everything to her and she had a way of making everyone feel special.
Mum was a member of the Middleton United Church, a Sunday school teacher and a lifetime member of the UCW. Mum had a deep faith and enjoyed weekly Bible studies. She also volunteered with the Meals to Wheels program.
Mum spent many enjoyable hours tending her flower and vegetable gardens. She was also a keen birdwatcher and especially enjoyed hummingbirds. Her other hobbies were knitting, sewing, embroidery, quilting and reading. She taught many of her grandchildren to knit and was known for knitting sweaters, mittens and socks for her family. She liked to do crosswords, sudoku and jigsaw puzzles and enjoyed playing scrabble and other board games with her family. In the past few years, she began to learn to do puzzles on her iPad and eventually moved to being able to FaceTime with family members. Mum has kept a daily journal of her life for the past 38 years.
Mum was a great listener, easy to talk with and visiting with her was always enjoyable. Mum will be deeply missed by all of us.
A special thank-you to the staff at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre; Dr. Barry Giffin and Dr. Karen Day of the Musquodoboit Valley Family Practice, and the Northwood home care staff for their compassionate care. A heartful thank-you to Dr. Iqbal Bata, Cardiologist at QEII Health Sciences Centre for his care, thoughtful attention and support of our Mum for the past year.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Middleton United Church, Middle Musquodoboit on Saturday, October 14th at 2 p.m. with Rev. Allan Lynk officiating. Cremation has taken place. The burial will be in Pioneer Cemetery following the service and a reception will be held in the church basement.
To view the service remotely: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84700820091?pwd=Q2N2bTIyVEl2VDZwNVVuaUtxTHNKQT09
Meeting ID: 847 0082 0091
Passcode: 401346
Donations in Violet’s memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or The Salvation Army.
Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.
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