Minerva J. Higginson

Minerva J. Higginson, 93, passed away on September 11, 2021 at Samaritan Hospital.
Most recently she had been residing at The Eddy Heritage House in Troy.

She was born in Osceola Mills, PA. She moved to the Albany area as a young child, leaving behind many aunts, uncles and cousins in the Altoona region, whom she would often travel back to see later in life with her family. She lived the rest of her life in the same Colonie neighborhood, seeing it transform from a rural farming area with dirt roads to a suburban landscape.

In her youth she worked as a vendor at the old Albany Union Railroad Station, getting to serve many famous personalities and public figures, of whom she was so happy to obtain Bela Lugosi's (Dracula's) autograph. She loved her spooky movies.

Most of her career was as a buyer for The Barbizon Fashion Shop millenary department in the old WestGate Shopping Center. She enjoyed her buying trips to New York City and the many fine dining experiences on the company check. In semi-retirement she sampled products for Price Chopper at many locations, enjoying the socializing. She was also involved in her local AARP chapter.

Her beliefs and faith were very meaningful to her and she was active in many aspects of her local church. She found much fulfillment in being a Sunday School teacher and spreading the Word of God to children. She was also active in spreading the Word of God through visitation ministry. She got to satisfy her lifelong dream of traveling with her church group to The Holy Land, always treasuring that experience and those memories. She was a woman of deep faith often found with her well-worn bible in hand.

Ever generous, compassionate and thoughtful, she was always willing to help her family, friends and neighbors, or just brighten their day with a kind word or gift. She also regularly donated to numerous organizations that served to aid both people and animals.

She treasured her pet companions over the years and especially her last cat "BoBo" who became her constant companion, always getting under foot (and cane) in her last years at home (the numerous throw rugs on top of other rugs didn't help either).
She loved feeding and watching the many birds in her back yard, although she didn't always take to kindly to the occasional resident wood chuck.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 43 years Norman L. Higginson, daughter Wendy Higginson and her daughter-in-law Sharon Higginson. She is also predeceased by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Minerva is survived by her son Norman B. Higginson (Christine) of Corinth, her grandchildren: Sarah Higginson (Grant Hounsell) of Colonie, Brian Clifford (Tabitha), William Clifford, Michael Ferraro, all of Florida, Laura Clothier (Patrick) and James Clark (Alison) all of Corinth. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren and her lifelong best friend Betty Kirchhof.



The family wishes to thank Sarah and Grant for their loving care, along with the Colonie Senior Services which allowed her to remain at home longer. The entire family acknowledges the great care she received at The Eddy Heritage House. They also are grateful to the Samaritan Hospital ICU for their dedicated and compassionate care in her last week.

Visitation will be held Thursday September 16 from 6pm-8pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd, Colonie NY.

Funeral services will be held there as well on Friday September 17 at 11am,
interment to follow in the Albany Rural Cemetery Park View Crematory. Interment for Wendy Higginson (daughter of Minerva) will also take place at that time.

Memorials are suggested to the charity of one's choice.

To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.NewcomerAlbany.com.