Jean Higgs, a 50 year resident of Cherry Hill and Haddonfield, passed away on March 1, at age 91.
Jean Higgs, fondly known as Mom, Sis, Aunt Sis, Arch, Mutz and Wax, grew up as the middle child between two brothers – athletic, keenly intelligent, and fiercely independent. In her four years at Goucher College, Jean created lifelong friendships, and met Navy cadet Donald Higgs. They married in 1954, started their family with Scott, then moved to England for three memorable years – where they immersed themselves in British culture and community, and added Jody to the family.
On returning to the U.S., they settled in Cherry Hill, where Jean kept busy and engaged while raising a family. She was active with an assortment of volunteer work, from Brownie leader and Art aide, to AAUW and hotline volunteer, to tutoring disadvantaged children. Every day, neighbors saw Jean walking the family sheepdog, and overseeing construction projects. Neighborhood kids loved her homemade candy apples. Once Scott and Jody were older, Jean dove headfirst into real estate – the perfect job for an energetic and social woman!
Jean’s exuberance and fun-loving nature launched her on countless Elderhostel adventures (canoeing, hiking, even dog-sledding), and independent travels around the world. At home, Jean spent 20 years auditing Rutgers classes, expanding her mind and enjoying the youthful energy that a campus provides.
Kind, loyal, and generous to family and friends, Jean devoted her energy to strengthening relationships, and to offering help when things got hard. Wherever Jean went, her optimism and adventurous spirit spread good cheer. She is greatly missed by Jody, Scott, her extended family, and countless friends.
To see photos, share memories, and learn about memorial plans (still uncertain, due to COVID), please visit: https://everloved.com/life-of/jean-higgs.
