Anne Higgins

Anne Higgins passed away peacefully in her home in Worcester on Monday, May 27th. She is survived by her wife, Kim Merrick; four stepchildren, Nicholas, Connor, Anthony, and Mia Minnucci; three step grandchildren, Sofia Days, Jackson & Vinny Minnucci; her father, Dan Higgins; and eight siblings, Eileen Higgins of Worcester, Maureen Iliopoulos of Lexington, Dan Higgins of Rutland, Michael Higgins of Worcester, John Higgins of Newbury, NH, Paul Higgins of Worcester, Kathleen Sigrist of West Hartford CT, and Matthew Higgins of Dennis.

Anne traveled broadly with family and friends. Priding herself in having visited every continent aside from Antarctica. She loved her family, championed her stepchildren, nieces, and nephews. She loved the out of doors and humored her wife with frequent beach trips to Cape Cod, Gloucester, and Hilton Head.

Anne Higgins was the co-founder of Higgins and Merrick Education Advocacy Group. She spent her entire career as an advocate for protected classes of children. Her range extended from public education in school districts and at the state level, to private practice in law. She served as a classroom teacher for the Worcester Public Schools for almost two decades and a bilingual education administrator in Framingham and Wellesley. At the state level, she was an education specialist for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. As an attorney in private practice, she supported students and families in maximizing equitable access to programs and services locally and federally writing amicus briefs for the US Supreme Court. Most noteworthy was her brief for the “Right to Die” Act in 2004. Anne earned degrees at Assumption College, Worcester State University, and New England School of Law.

Anne has touched and helped so many as an educator, lawyer, sister, aunt, and parent. It would often take hours to run errands in the city of Worcester, not due to the excessive traffic, rather welcomed introductions to Anne’s former students who stopped her as she was entering the grocery store or restaurant to update and thank her for her contribution to their life successes. She offered her knowledge and skills to others widely. Family, friends, and the city of Worcester will truly miss her beautiful curly hair, Ariat boots, Black Dog sweatshirt, and baseball cap. The world will be different without Anne Higgins.

The family is hosting a private celebration on June 22nd. In lieu of flowers and cards, please consider donating to Autism Speaks - The Doug Flutie Foundation at https://flutiefoundation.org/