Pauline F. (Farnsworth) Higgins

Pauline F. Higgins Athol – Pauline “Polly” (Farnsworth) Higgins, 87, of 57 Walnut Street died Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the UMASS Memorial Medical Center-University Campus in Worcester after becoming suddenly ill at home.      Polly was born in Shirley, Massachusetts, August 12, 1925 the daughter of William P. and Caroline (Dodge) Farnsworth, Sr.  She graduated from Ayer High School in 1943 and Fitchburg State College earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education.  Following her graduation moved to Athol where she has lived most of her life.      Polly taught first grade at the Lake Park School, Hapgood Street School and Pleasant Street School all in Athol.  Following her many years of teaching she continued private tutoring and also helped several adults through the Literacy Program.      She leaves her husband of 65 years, Donald H. Higgins whom she married in 1948 recently celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.  Besides her husband she leaves a daughter, Pamela Connor of Athol, a son, Steven Higgins and his wife Karen of Conway, SC; three grandsons, Jeremy Higgins and his wife Haley of Conway, SC, Ryan Williams and his wife Lindsay of Athol and Arik Higgins of Orange; eight great-grandchildren, Jaeden and Daelyn Higgins of Conway, SC, Jayla and Lyla-Rae Williams of Athol, Jordan, Spencer, Riley and Brooklyn Higgins of Worcester.  She also leaves a brother Waldo Farnsworth of Shirley; Sister In-law, Elizabeth Higgins of Athol as well as several nieces and nephews.  Besides her parents she was predeceased by a sister-in-law, Corrine Farnsworth, brother, William Farnsworth, Jr. and his wife Alice, step-brother John and a brother-in-law, Charles Higgins.      Polly enjoyed rug hooking, oil painting, crossword puzzles and watching the Boston Red Sox.  She was a longtime leader of the Blue Birds and Campfire Girls, a member of Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years.  She was also a member and past president of the Young Women’s Group, as well as a 50 year member and officer of the Order of Eastern Star-Themis Chapter and a former member and treasurer of the Athol Women’s Club.  She was also a former member of the Packard Heights Association.      A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol with the Rev. Freda Maier, officiating.  There will be a calling hour on Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the service.  Burial will be in Silver Lake Cemetery at a later date.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });