Avis de décès de Linda-Joan-Carroll Higgins - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

LINDA JOAN CARROLL HIGGINS - BURLINGTON - Linda Joan Carroll Higgins, 49, of Burlington, died at her home on Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, surrounded by her family. She was born in Lowell, Mass., on Jan. 29, 1964, the daughter of Bernard A. and V. Shirley (Clark) Carroll. Linda's love and passion for learning and her exceptional abilities were clear from an early age. At Dracut High School, Dracut, Mass., she served as President of the National Honor Society; received the Most Outstanding All Around Student Award; The American Association of University Women Award for highest academic achievement at the end of junior year; the Brenda Vigeant Memorial Award for leadership and service; recipient of the Dracut High Boosters Club scholarship; and the English, French and Life Science Department awards for outstanding achievement during three academic years. She accomplished this while earning the American College of Musicians/ National Guild of Piano Teachers' high school diploma (International Level), and competing in varsity basketball and softball. After attaining these goals at Dracut High, she graduated in 1981 and headed off to Colby College. At Colby, she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in German and Economics while participating in all aspects of student life including the ski team and intramural sports. She was inducted into the Delta Phi Alpha (German Honor Society), and received the award for the highest grade point average in German. But it was at Colby where, in addition to her many lifelong friendships, she found her passion and career while studying abroad with the Wesleyan University Program in Heidelberg, Germany. After graduating from Colby in 1985, that experience moved her to pursue a career with NAFSA: Association of International Educators in Washington, D.C. By 1990, Linda was the Program Coordinator for NAFSA's Cooperative Grants Program for projects in international education research. In 1991, Linda left NAFSA for the University of Vermont and a Master of Education Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration. Upon graduation, she worked in the Office of International Educational Services at the University of Vermont, coordinating study abroad programs and sharing her passion and experience for international travel and education. While studying at UVM, she met her husband and started a family. She dedicated the same love and passion to her young family. Following a pessimistic diagnosis, she gave up her career and dedicated all her time and energy to raising her three children, Molly, Tommy and Nora, teaching them to ski, play the piano, and love life. Linda and her family have been blessed with a large and supportive network of family and friends who sustained them through her long and difficult illness. Through it all, she retained the glittering smile, boundless optimism and quiet strength for which she will be remembered. She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, Thomas M. Higgins of Burlington; three children, who were her greatest pride and joy, twins, Molly Carroll and Thomas Bernard Higgins, and Nora Virginia Higgins; mother, V. Shirley Carroll of Dracut, Mass.; and in-laws, Thomas G. and Nancy Ann Higgins of Oldwick, N.J. She was predeceased by her father, Bernard A. Carroll on March 28, 1997. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's CoCathedral, 29 Allen St., Burlington, with burial to follow in Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington. To send online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com. Those who wish may make contributions in her memory to Brain Tumor Research Fund, c/o Camilo Fadul, MD, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.