Diana Louise (Gray) Higgins, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 25th, while vacationing at the family cottage near Bar Harbor, ME. Diana was surrounded by her loving family when she left this world.
Diana was born on July 30th, 1949 in Bethesda, MD to the late Donald and Louise Gray. She was a graduate of McLean High School in McLean, VA and later graduated from Purdue University where she met her loving husband, Richard P. Higgins, of 46 years.
Diana and Richard moved to Vermont in 1972 for what was supposed to be a temporary work assignment. They grew to love Vermont and never left. They raised four children in Essex where Diana was the ultimate hockey mom for over 40 years. Diana loved interior design and worked in that field until she found her true calling in medicine. At age 44, while pregnant and caring for her 90-year-old grandmother, she went to Champlain College to become a respiratory therapist. She never turned down a challenge and was fierce beyond compare. She worked at the University of Vermont Medical Center for over 20 years until retiring in 2015. During her short retirement, Diana spent more time with her wonderful grandchildren and embarked on many adventures such as boating, European travels, winters in Florida and golf lessons. She was very active in the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction. In 2013, Diana and Richard moved to Grand Isle, living by the lake with their lab, Sherman, and enjoying life to its fullest. Diana will be remembered for her warm smile and the kindness and love she gave to all who knew her.
Diana is survived by her husband, Richard P. Higgins, of Grand Isle, VT; children, Shane Higgins of New York, NY, Chad Higgins and wife, Nicole, of Melrose, MA, Mindy Bero and husband, Pete, of Essex, VT, and Zach Higgins of Nashville, TN; grandchildren, Colby, McKenzie, Parker and Paige; sister Catherine Gray and wife, Debra Smalley, of Los Angeles, CA; sisters in-law, Mariele (Dick) Forte of South Natick, MA, Nelle (Mike) Fine of Dover, MA, Susie (Craig) Conrad of South Natick, MA; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, September 30th from 2-5 PM at the A.W. Rich Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Essex. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church in Essex Junction at 11AM on Monday, October 1st, with a celebration of her life to follow. Diana was a volunteer at a summer asthma camp for children. Memorial contributions can be made in Diana’s memory to the American Lung Association (www.lung.org) and go to the ‘Donate’ tab and click on ‘Memorial Gift’.)