DOROTHY HIGGINS, 96

WENT TO HER HEAVENLY

HOME ON JULY 19, 2024

Dorothy was born on January 22, 1928, to Joseph Nemecek and Ella Fay Nemecek

in Cleveland, OH. She was the middle of three children: an older brother, Joe, and a

younger sister, Bernice. She graduated from Holy Name High School in 1946.

She was married in 1948 to her high school sweetheart, Eugene James Higgins,

preceding her in death 8/25/1978.

Dorothy had six children: Karen (Ray) Garcia (nee Higgins), Terrence (Cathy)

Higgins, Joyce (Jim) Walters (nee Higgins), Brian (Karen) Higgins, Marianne (Ron)

Cohen (nee Higgins), Mark (Carol) Higgins. She also had fifteen grandchildren,

thirty-two great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was the guidepost of a large family, instilling her kind, loving, caring, fun,

quick-witted, and generous spirit with her children, friends, and relatives alike. She

grew up in the wake of The Great Depression and she and her eventual husband, Gene,

crafted their romance through the rigors of life during WW II. These experiences

taught her the value of life’s simpler pleasures, which molded her appreciation of

the pure presence of those around her. As such, no family celebration lacked her

cheerful presence or contributions of gifts, praise, or colorful insights. She was, in all

respects, a vibrant product of America’s greatest generation.

Dorothy touched the lives of so many outside of her family recognizing need when

she saw it and responding with gifts of her time and resources. She was a Meals-on-

Wheels driver for several years and provided rides to bingo, doctor’s appointments,

and the like. Her loving character was fashioned by her life-long Catholic Faith. She

regularly attended Mass during her life and saw to the education of her children

through Assumption of Mary Catholic Church in Brook Park and surrounding

Catholic high schools.

Dorothy travelled well into her later years, enjoying trips to Las Vegas, Myrtle

Beach, California, and other domestic destinations. She enjoyed card playing with

her friends and family members and leaped at opportunities to broaden her

experiences by riding horses, mechanical bulls, rollerblading, bicycling, and jet skis

to the amusement of those around her.

Dorothy’s legacy of love and light continues through all those whose lives she

touched.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, July 27 at 10:00 am at Mary Queen of the

Apostles Catholic Church, 6455 Engle Rd., Brook Park, OH, 44142.

No flowers, please.

The burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park, Ohio.

After burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, everyone is cordially invited to American Legion Post 610 19944 Sheldon Rd. Brook Park Ohio 44142, to continue to celebrate Dorothy’s Life.

No Visitation.