Mary Ellen O'Connor Higgison

Mary Ellen, age 94, peacefully passed away on Wednesday 5-29-2024 surrounded by family at her home at the McAuley in West Hartford, Ct. Mary Ellen was the wife of the late Edward Higgison and prior to that the late Robert O’Connor. She was the proud and loving mother of six children: Kathie (Phillip) Grzewinski, Patricia O’Connor, John (Carol) O’ Connor, Eileen (James ) Clinton, Mary (Dave) Woods, and Julie O’Connor. MaryEllen was the eldest daughter of the late Clarence and Julia Kreuz of Belmont, MA. She was sister to the late Peggy Mosychuk of Dedham MA and the late Carol Sheehan of Dallas, TX. Mary Ellen was a dedicated and loving grandmother of 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She attended high school at the Holy Rosary Academy in Watertown, MA where she graduated with honors in 1947. She then went on to attend Emmanuel College for two years before transferring to Marquette University, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was at Marquette that Mary Ellen met Robert O’Connor, the first love of her life, whom she married upon graduation. Mary Ellen and Robert (Bob), raised 6 children together and had a wonderful 25 year marriage before Bob’s untimely death in 1977. Shortly after Mary Ellen met Ed Higgison, the 2nd love of her life, she enjoyed a 40 year marriage filled with happiness prior to Ed’s passing in 2018. Mary Ellen loved the outdoors and in particular biking, walking and swimming. She loved the ocean and her summers in Falmouth, Cape Cod and lived a very active life until she was 92 years old. Mary Ellen committed her life to volunteerism. A few of the many organizations she served were the Community Outreach Committee at McAuley, the PEO Sisterhood, Hartford Hospital, Meals on Wheels, House of Bread, the Cancer Society, and many others including regular visits to the elderly. She was also a person of great faith. Mary Ellen was a Eucharistic minister at St Thomas the Apostle Church in West Harford, where she led and sat on the Parish Council for many years. She was also very active in the Church’s Women’s Club and was an advocate for women serving the church in many ways during her lifetime. Mary Ellen will always be remembered as a kind, compassionate woman who cared deeply for others. She was a friend to many and always put the needs of others first. She was a life long learner and was open to new perspectives and change. She was a tireless advocate for peace in the world and in our communities and spent much of her time attending multi-denominational services to learn more about other religions. She often stated that her children and grandchildren kept her young and informed by sharing their lives with her. Mary Ellen leaves a legacy of love, forgiveness, empathy and laughter with not only her family, but also with all her close friends. Visitation hours will be held on Tuesday, June 4th at Molloy Funeral Home 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford, CT from 4-6 PM. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday June 5th at 10:00 AM at St Thomas the Apostle Church 872 Farmington Ave in West Hartford. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Mary Ellen’s name to one of the organizations listed above. Directions and online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

Mary Ellen O'Connor Higgison

May 29, 2024