MARTHA M. HIGGINS

Fort Fairfield – Martha M. Higgins, 83, wife of the late Howard W. Higgins, passed away Sunday afternoon, May 13, 2018 at a Mars Hill nursing facility, following an extended illness. She was born August 1, 1934 in Allagash, the daughter of William and Sophie (Deschaine) Pelletier. She attended school in Allagash and was married to Howard W. Higgins on August 11, 1952. She was co-owner and operator of several businesses in Fort Fairfield, including Higgins Market, the Modern Shoppe, the Boundryline Restaurant, and Higgins Redemption Center. She was a communicant of the Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, Fort Fairfield, and a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Santa Maria Circle Number 427, Fort Fairfield, the VFW Paul Lockhart Post Number 6187 Ladies Auxiliary, Fort Fairfield, and the former Fort Fairfield Community General Hospital Guild. In addition to her parents, Martha was predeceased by her husband Howard on September 27, 1981; one daughter-in-law, Mary Jane Higgins; seven brothers, Harold, Everett, Kenneth, Alban, Aldon, Richard and Wallace Pelletier; one sister, Eva Blumer. She is survived by one daughter, Roma Jean “Jeannie” Cyr of Fort Fairfield; two sons, Howard P. Higgins and his wife Rhonda of New Sweden, Perry A. Higgins and his companion Paula Evens of Fort Fairfield; one brother, Bernard Pelletier of Massachusetts; three grandchildren, Stephen Cyr and his companion Amanda Bolstridge, Stacy Giberson and her husband Aaron, all of Fort Fairfield, Christopher Higgins and his wife Jennifer of Ellsworth; one step-grandson, Christopher Stone of Bangor; three great grandchildren, Douglas Sharpe, Sophie and Liam Giberson, all of Fort Fairfield; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Jackie May and her husband Jim of Mapleton; and a special nephew, Alban “Pardner” Pelletier and his wife Donna of Stratton; several great nieces, great nephews, and extended family members. Friends called Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield. The funeral service was private for the family. Interment will take place at St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Higgins to the Daughters of Isabella, Santa Maria Circle Number 427, c/o Brandy Osterblom, 26 Elm Street, Fort Fairfield, Maine 04742. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com