Maryknoll, NY: Sister Kathleen Higgins died on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 94 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 77 years.
On September 5, 1929, Kathleen Mary Higgins was born in Brooklyn, NY to Catherine (Flynn) Higgins and Albert Higgins. She had two brothers, Albert and Peter who have predeceased her. She is survived by her nephew, Greg.
From 1943-1947, Sister Kathleen attended St. Joseph Juniorate High School in Brooklyn, NY. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Rogers College in 1953 in Maryknoll, NY. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Venard on September 6, 1947 from her home parish in Brooklyn. She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7, 1950 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows in 1953 at Maryknoll.
In 1953, she received her first mission assignment to the Eastern US Region in Chinatown, NYC as a Primary Teacher. In 1958, Sister was assigned to Chile where she taught Religious Education until 1972. She was called to Maryknoll Sisters Center for Congregational Services in Information Services from 1972 to 1974. Returning to Chile in 1975 to 1983 for Pastoral Work teaching Catechetics to the local youths.
From 1984 to 1988, Sister Kathleen was back in New York doing Congregational Services in Direct Mail at the Maryknoll Center and as an English Teacher teaching English as a Second Language at Maryknoll Society. In 1988 to 1992, she was in Spanish Harlem, NYC at St. Paul’s as a Pastoral Agent.
In 1992, Sister Kathleen was assigned to the Western US Region, Menlo Park, California where she did Pastoral Work as Parish Minister and Home Visiting until 1997.
In 1998, Sister retired in California still young enough to volunteer her time and energy to home visiting and Gospel reflections. In 2019, Sister Kathleen returned to the Maryknoll Sister Center still volunteering her time until 2022.
Sister Kathleen has so generously donated her body to science.
Funeral Services:
A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Kathleen Higgins on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.