Mary Carolyn Higinbotham, aged 61, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 2, 2018, at Kaiser Hospital in Fontana, after a prolonged battle with multiple illnesses. Mary was born on November 14, in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Eugene and Doris Backus.
Mary was in love with the outdoors ever since she could walk and would run and play all over her parent's large property. Mary and her parents moved to California while she was in her teens, leaving behind her high school sweetheart, Brad Higinbotham. She would later move back to Pennsylvania and in 1976, Mary and Brad would be wed. While in California, she learned to ride her horse, Buck, and how to play the guitar. She was a very loving and family-oriented person and was described by her loved ones as being a "Shining Angel on Earth". One of her favorite pastimes was crochet, and her home is and always will be covered in her fanciful creations. She held many jobs throughout her life in Pennsylvania and California, including General Merchandise Clerk, Loss Prevention Officer, and Assistant Manager. Her main area of expertise was retail clothing, and she had a strong sense of pride for her work and how well she ran her store. She later gave birth to her son, Paul Higinbotham in 11988, and for a time, was a stay-at-home mother. She would always describe this time as being the best of her life.
Mary is survived by her siblings; Patricia Massey, Kathy Oates, and Eugene Backus. She is also survived by her husband Brad Higinbotham, son Paul Higinbotham and daughter in law Crystal Higinbotham. As well as various nieces and nephews, other friends and relatives.
There will be a ceremony for family and friends at Montecito Memorial Park on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 9:00 am. Online condolences can be left at www.montecitomemorialparkandmortuary.com.
