S Maureen A. (Fenno) Higgins

STERLING – Maureen A. (Fenno) Higgins, 78, of Princeton Rd., died Monday, February 9, 2009 in Clinton Hospital, after a brief illness.

Her husband of 55 years, Richard T. Higgins Sr., died in 2007. She leaves two sons, Richard T. Higgins Jr., of Boylston and Paul V. Higgins of Sterling; a daughter, Patricia M. Blanchflower and her husband John of Sterling; a sister, Joan T. Grammel of Fitchburg; three grandchildren, Jack Blanchflower and his fiancée Lindy Sontag, Maura Blanchflower, and Thomas J. Higgins III, all of Sterling; several nephews and nieces. Two sons, Thomas J. and Sean M. Higgins, a daughter, Maura E. Higgins, a daughter-in-law, Tina (Sullivan) Higgins, and three brothers, Paul, Richard and John Fenno, all predeceased her. She was born and raised in Fitchburg, the daughter of Hubert and Nora (Conry) Fenno and lived 10 years in Worcester and her remaining years in Sterling.

Mrs. Higgins graduated from St. Bernard's High School in Fitchburg and St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester. She worked at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg and St. Vincent Hospital as a registered nurse. She, along with her husband, owned and operated Landlord Ben's Colonial Tavern in Sterling from 1979 to 1992.

She was a member of St. Richard of Chichester Church, its Apple Fiesta Committee, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was a member and past president of the Sterling Women's Club, as well as the Women's Auxiliary. She was also a member and leader of the 4H Horse Club and served on the Sterling Fair Horse Show Committee. She was secretary of the Sterling Zoning Board of Appeals for 26 years and the Sterling Bicentennial Committee. As one of her many initiatives, she was instrumental in bringing the teachings of CPR to her community and served as a volunteer EMT on the Sterling Ambulance. Maureen was held in high regard by all of those whose lives she touched, and will be dearly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 13th in the Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Rd. (Rt.12) Sterling. The funeral for Mrs. Higgins will be held on Saturday from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge St., Sterling. Burial will be private in Hillside Cemetery, Sterling. Donations may be made to St. Richard of Chichester Church, P.O. Box 657, Sterling, MA 01564.

Website & Guestbook: www.milesfuneralhome.com