Sister Pauline Higgins, SP
March 13, 1914 - December 5, 2009
Obituary
Sister Pauline Higgins, SP
Sister Pauline Higgins Sister Louis of the Blessed Sacrament died on December 5, 2009 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, Washington at 95 years of age, after 76 years as a Sister of Providence. The Vigil Service will be held on December 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel at St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle, Washington and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated there on December 10, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, WA. Bonney-Watson Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
Sister Pauline Higgins and her twin brother, Paul, were born on March 13, 1914 in Sunnyside, Washington to Louis and Hannah Higgins. There were six children three boys and three girls in the Higgins family which included two sets of twins. Her father’s occupation was diversified farming and the family moved within Washington State from Sunnyside, to Yakima Valley and on to Toppenish where he shared produce and consulted with other farmers.
Sister Pauline entered into the Novitiate of the Sisters of Providence in Seattle on January 18, 1933. Her sister, Margaret who was also a twin, entered the Novitiate four years prior to Sr. Pauline.
Sr. Pauline graduated in 1932 from St. Joseph Academy, Yakima, WA. In 1938, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree at St. Catherine College, St. Paul, Minnesota, specializing in Language and English, plus Home Economics. In 1946, she earned a Master’s Degree in Philosophy at Seattle University and also earned a Master’s Degree in Latin from the University of Washington in 1966.
Her first ministry assignment was teaching seventh grade at Providence Academy in Vancouver, WA. She taught a variety of subjects or served as assistant librarian or debate coach in the following high schools: Providence Academy, Vancouver, WA; St. Joseph Academy, Yakima, WA; St. Patrick High School, Walla Walla, WA; Kennedy High School, Seattle, WA; Providence High School, Burbank, CA; and Monroe High School, Fairbanks, Alaska and surrounding villages. For three consecutive summers in the fifties she taught philosophy courses at Great Falls College University of Great Falls, Montana.
Her summers were spent studying at the University of St. Louis, University of Notre Dame, University of Washington, and Seattle University.
She especially enjoyed teaching in Alaska’s bush with Indian families or on the tundra with Eskimo families. She published a book in 1999 that included her experiences there entitled, ‘Providence in Alaska: Sisters of Providence Education Ministry in Alaska, 1902-1978.’
Her other ministry assignments included formation team member, vocation director, candidate director, and Eucharistic minister for parish shut-ins. Sr. Pauline was an excellent cook and seamstress and made many of her own clothes.
Sr. Pauline was preceded in death by her five siblings and is survived by nieces and one nephew.
Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016.