Judith Ann Higgins

• 

Higgins, Judith Ann (Judy) Of Orono, MN. Born on May 21, 1954 in Minneapolis. She died June 10, 2014, having just reached the ripe old age of 60! When one is a "scholar" of obituaries as Judy was, it is difficult to imagine that she will approve of her own she avidly read the section every day! Judy grew up in Hopkins, MN and on her beloved Lake Minnetonka. In later life she and her mom moved permanently to Lake Minnetonka - one of her favorite places on earth. Judy lived life to the fullest and beyond. Some might say she marched to a different drummer - that no grass grew under her feet. She loved the outdoors - boating and fishing on the lake and snowshoeing and x-c skiing in the winter. While family and friends went south to escape the cold winters, Judy instead went north to Lutsen, to her beloved cabin on Lake Superior, where she would find renewal and relaxation. Even when the horrible esophageal cancer became her lot in life almost 2 years ago, she faced that journey head on with tenacity, spirit, and strength beyond comprehension. She was a fighter in the true sense of the word. She will be greatly missed by all those whose life she touched with her love, her compassion, her generosity and most notably her endless wit. She missed her calling in life, really - she should have been a comedian! Preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Nancy Higgins, she is survived by her spouse and her longtime partner of 15 years, Barbara Lelek Higgins, brother Stephen (Kathy) of Denver, sister Ging King (Doug) of Edina, her loving nieces Lindsey King Gorski and Brooke Higgins Allen, nephews Stephen Higgins Jr. and Patrick Higgins, along with their wonderful spouses and 9 very special great nieces and nephews. To them she was not Aunt Judy, but known affectionately as Jude or "AJ". Her beloved furry kids will miss her every day as they wait to hear her footfalls down the hall or her whistle - her dogs Deaver, Charlie and Finnegan, her kitties Ted, Petey, and Dot, as will all her dear and wonderful human friends and family near and far. We want to express our deepest gratitude to her wonderful health care team during this journey - The Mayo Clinic doctors and their staff - David Katzka, MD, Francis C. Nichols, MD, Claude Deschamps, MD formerly of The Mayo Clinic and to her wonderful team at Park Nicollet Clinic in the Twin Cities, Rachael Lerner, MD and Deepti Pandita, MD and all of their staff. The level of care and concern was superb at every juncture along this road. We also wish to thank all of her BTF team on Caring Bridge - BTF representing Judy's motto for her journey, the translation of which is not suitable for print! You guys, who flocked to her site and read about her journey, inspired her and gave her strength and courage to keep fighting. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ecan.org), Pet Haven MN (pethavenmn.org) or the charity of your choice in her name. A memorial service will be held Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11 AM, Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, W. 50th and Vernon Avenue at Hwy 100, Edina with visitation one hour prior. Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on June 15, 2014