Mary Bridget (Bridgie) Higgins

Mary Bridget (Bridgie) Higgins, 85, of Kingston NY passed away Friday, August 9, 2024 with family members by her side. Born February 5, 1939 in Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland she was the daughter of the late Peter and Mary Ann (Monaghan) McElearney, and wife of the late Eddie Higgins, with whom she raised seven children.

 

Surviving her are her children Kevin, Brendan (Kristina), Renee Murray (John), Eamon (Mary), Paul, and Beth Higgins-Courtney (Mary), her daughter-in-law, Aleta (widow of her son, Joseph); her grandchildren Aidan, Sarah, Rebekka, Declan, Kian, Joseph, Neave, Hannah and Amelia. Bridgie is also survived by her sister Alice Byrne and brother Peter McElearney as well as nieces and nephews and cousins in Ireland, England, & the US. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by husband Eddie, son Joseph, brother James McElearney, and sister Kathleen McDermott.

 

Mam lived a full life, truly “seizing the moment” and jetting off to Ireland, England, Florida, and Colorado to visit the family she loved. She embraced and was very proud of her faith, her Irish culture and heritage, and was still “doing sets” in the Catskills right up to the end. She was a proud member of the Kevin Barry Irish Club and the Monaghan Society of New York, all of which she shared with her friends, who were some of the kindest, most loving people you’d ever meet. They were all very dedicated to her and each other, and helping others was a common thread they shared.

 

From 1976 until 2023 Bridgie was a licensed child care provider, and from her home in Kingston, NY, provided love, education, firmness, encouragement, kindness, and most importantly humour to hundreds of children over the years, many of whom would stop in to visit her (long after their day care attendance was mandatory), just to say hi or have a cup of tea. Some have even had Bridgie watch their own children. Bridgie didn’t limit her duties to her home, on more than one occasion she’d drive to a child’s house to remind them that her magic eye could see them misbehaving. If a child was faking illness to avoid school, she’d call them up and promise as soon as they arrived, she’d take their temperature (the old fashioned way). Not surprisingly, they’d be in school that day. Some have shared with us that they consider Bridgie as their second Mam or “Grandma”. In addition to helping children grow into productive adults, Mam was also very active in helping anyone who needed assistance. It didn’t matter if it was a hot meal, a few dollars to get by, a ride, a place to stay, or simply some love and encouragement. She did these things quietly and confidentially, never seeking credit. Bridgie’s heart, home, and kindness were available to all. There was always room at her table for whoever stopped by, and she instilled in us the importance of including others.

 

Our Mam, your Bridgie was a force of nature, and her unique ways will be missed by so many. She would want us to celebrate the lessons and fond memories that we have all shared and may she rest in peace.

 

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc. 27 Smith Avenue, Kingston. www.jvleahyfh.com. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Friday August 16th 4 – 8 p.m. We all know Bridgie held her faith in the highest regard and attended traditional Latin Mass every Sunday. To honor her wishes, the funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 17th at St. Joseph's Novitiate located at 1275 Hearts Content Rd, Round Top, NY 12473. In keeping with the traditions of this church, women typically wear dresses or skirts that cover the knees and tops that cover the shoulders as well as having their heads covered; men typically wear either a shirt and tie or at least a collared shirt with pants (no shorts).