Mary E. (O’Connor) Higgins, 102, of Quincy, formerly of Dorchester, died Feb. 15.
She was born in Oughterard, a small town just outside Galway City, in Ireland, on Oct. 18, 1907. Her father owned a butcher shop and she was the oldest of seven children. She came to Boston in 1925 when she was 18.
One evening, friends invited her to an Irish dance at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury. That’s where she met a handsome Irish athlete, Malachy B. Higgins, seven years older, who was in this country as captain of the Galway football team.
They were married here in June 1931, and honeymooned in Ireland, where they lived for a year. Before their first son, John, was born in 1932, they returned to Boston and eventually settled in Dorchester, where Mr. Higgins ran the Fields Corner Bar and Grille. They purchased a triple-decker on Ronan Street and raised eight sons. Mr. Higgins died 29 years ago at age 76.
“My father was the quieter one,” John Higgins recalled about his childhood. “He was at work a lot, and my mother ruled the roost at home. We didn’t disobey my mother very often.”
With eight lively sons close in age, he said, their mother also had a knack for showing her love for each one in an individual way – such as cooking to please the boys’ appetites.
In Dorchester, Mrs. Higgins was active in St. Peter’s Parish, a member of the ladies’ sodality and among the first to help neighbors in need.
All her life, she built a quiet but determined and proud legacy: hard work, devotion to family, helping others, keeping the faith.
“There are a lot of things we simple people can do to help others,” she said. “Even just talking to them – by giving people a little word of encouragement.”
A Quincy resident for more than 30 years, she was a member of St. Agatha Church and watched Mass daily on TV. She also read the newspaper every day – without eyeglasses, thanks to cataract surgery. She loved to knit afghans for family and friends. Castle Island was one of her favorite outings.
Mrs. Higgins was known for her Irish bread, mischievous Irish wit and generous heart. Her door and her heart were always open, and friends and family were “as welcome as the flowers in May.”
Laughter, good conversation and warm cup of tea were always at hand. She will be missed by many.
She is survived by her children, John J. Higgins and his wife, Irina, of Plymouth, Lawrence L. Higgins and his wife, Marie, of Marshfield, James M. Higgins and his wife, Lianne, of Quincy, Luke Higgins and his wife, Dorothy, of Quincy, Paul R. Higgins and his wife, Betty, of California, Leo B. Higgins and his wife, Elaine, of Marshfield, George W. Higgins and his wife, Susan, of Quincy, and Richard Higgins and his wife, Trina, of Braintree; 27 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandson.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Agatha Church on Feb. 19. Burial was in Mount Benedict Cemetery.
Donations may be made to New England Society of Jesus, P.O. Box 9199, Watertown, MA 02471-9919.
Arrangements were by the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home.