Sharon Higgins

March 26, 2022

Sharon Higgins (nee Avery) passed away peacefully on Saturday March 26th at the age of 80 after over a decade living with Alzheimer’s disease. Born in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, Sharon grew up in Woodstock (NH), attending Lincoln High school. She later graduated with high honors at the top of her class in the Executive Secretarial Program at Fisher College in Boston. In college, during the summers, she worked at the Jack-O-Lantern Resort back in Woodstock. Post-graduation, she worked as a secretary for several years during which time she also met her husband to-be, Bryce, moved to Toronto and got married. After having their first child, she devoted many years to their three children and homemaking. She was a dedicated volunteer in her children’s schools and with Knox United Church in Agincourt, helping with children’s programs, small groups, and in many other roles such as being the church’s unofficial and prolific photographer. Ryde Lake Camp was another special place she gave her time and talents, in part to honor the memory of her youngest daughter Kerry who passed away in 1999 at the age of 20. Sharon was a gentle, kind, quiet, and compassionate soul. Friends describe her as a good listener and as a selfless person who did everything for others. She was incredibly creative and talented and will be remembered for her artwork, photography, baking and sewing as well as her love of music and playing piano. She took great pleasure in family road trips, camping and time spent in nature. Sharon adored her trips back “home” to New Hampshire where she loved hiking in the White Mountains and spending time at the river and brook near her mother’s home. She treasured gathering there with her family and visiting beautiful Northern Ireland to be with the Higgins side of the family. All her life, Sharon helped and supported countless people in ways that had lasting impacts. She leaves a huge legacy of love and will continue to be a part of our lives in countless ways. She will be missed and fondly remembered by all those who knew and loved her, among them: her daughter Laura and son Graham, her son-in-law Neil (Laura’s husband) and grandson Cooper, her sister Kathy and brother-in-law Bill, her sister-in-law Tita, nieces and nephews Kristine, Darin, Christine (aka Ana), Sam, Timothy and their spouses, partners and children, her husband Bryce’s surviving siblings Ada, Thomas, Beth and Sammy and their spouses and children, her aunts, cousins and other extended family, and her many dear friends. She is predeceased by her beloved daughter Kerry Lynn, husband Bryce, brother Brian, parents Tina and Newt and other cherished family. A service of love and remembrance will be held on Saturday, June 18th at 2pm at Knox United Church, 2569 Midland Ave. Scarborough (church website: myknox.ca). Those attending are required to wear a mask. There may be visitation at the church before the service from 1-1:45pm and a reception after the service if Covid restrictions allow at that time. We will update this listing a few days before the service to let you know the final plan. Please check back. We hope to be able to record the service and to live stream it for those who cannot physically be at the church. Please get in touch with one of Sharon’s family members if you would like to receive live stream information or a recording if we confirm that this is possible. We know Sharon would want us to request that, if you wish, rather than flowers, memorial donations can be made to one of the following charities or one of your own choosing: Knox United Church https://myknox.ca/donate/ (Memorial Fund or Heritage Fund) Ryde Lake Camp http://rydelakecamp.com/ Children's Wish Foundation of Canada (now amalgamated with Make-A-Wish) https://makeawish.ca/ Alternatively, you can do an act of kindness in her honour. Thank you to friends and family who have supported Sharon and her loved ones through her long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease. We are also incredibly grateful to those who provided health care support to Sharon through her illness, especially Lorraine Green who, with deep empathy and respect, assisted Mom in finding companions and helpers in the early stages of her illness. Thank to Sharon's home care PSW’s, St. Paul’s Adult Day Program, and the caring staff at Bloomington Cove Care Community and Southlake Residential Care Village. Your support made a difference, and we will forever be thankful.