Joyce H. Higgins' Obituary
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS DELIVERED TO ST. JOHN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, SEAFORD, DE, BY 9:30 AM, FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2019.
Joyce H. Higgins, age 82, of Seaford, Delaware passed away on Friday June 28, 2019 at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Raymond W. Hallman and Charlotte B. Hallman. Growing up and during her teenage years Joyce and the Hallman Family spent summers in Ocean City, Maryland where she enjoyed the beach, the ocean, and deep sea fishing on her father’s boat, the “El-Jo”. During one of their deep sea excursions Joyce landed a “Citation” White Marlin.
Joyce graduated from Seaford High School with the class of 1954. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 1958 with a major in Elementary Education. Returning to Seaford, she began her teaching career as a 2™ grade teacher in the Seaford School District. In 1960 she married John F. Higgins at St. John’s Methodist Church where she was a lifelong member. Joyce loved teaching and her students loved her, but she left teaching in 1962 and dedicated her life to raising her family.
First and foremost, Joyce was a dedicated mother and grandmother. She was a loyal supporter of all the teams her children were a part of. Her door was always open to teammates and friends of her children. Many members of Seaford’s great athletic teams of the late 1970's and the 1980's enjoyed her hospitality and cooking during those years. The Higgins residence was the home of many victory celebrations with athletes of all walks of life and Joyce fed them all.
Later in life, Joyce enjoyed her swim exercise classes, knitting, dining out with her many friends, events at the Nanticoke Senior Center and playing cards with her sons. She loved reading and was capable of reading a book a day. She was an avid sports fan following the Baltimore Ravens, Duke University Basketball, the Orioles, and NASCAR. Her favorite drivers were the drivers for Hendrick Motor Sports.
In addition to her parents Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Higgins in 2009. She is survived by her daughters, Iva Morris (John) and Amy Grassey; sons, Ed Higgins (Amy) and Luke Higgins (Missi); grandchildren, Shelsea Morris, Alexandra Sanet, Ross Higgins, Austin and Julia Grassey; and her sister Ellen Sirman (Ben).
A Celebration of Life service will take place on Friday, July 5 at St. John’s United Methodist Church at 300 North Pine Street in Seaford. Visitation will be 10:00 -11:00 am with the service at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church.
Please sign Joyce's online guestbook located on this site.
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