Patricia Veronica Higgins

Patricia Higgins died peacefully at the age of 96+ years on March 2, 2026. She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest of 9 children. She was preceded in death by her 8 siblings, husband of nearly 60 years, infant daughter, brothers and sisters in law, and many dear friends.

She grew up in a happy home putting on plays, visiting regularly with extended family and helping care for her younger siblings.

She graduated summa cum laude from The College of St. Francis in Illinois and received her Masters in Spanish from the University of New Mexico. She began her teaching career in New Mexico at junior and senior high schools.

She made many lifelong friends through her college and early teaching years and was involved in sports and theater.

Her first plane ride was to Japan to teach at Chitose Air Base. She had a very active social life, where she met our dad and enjoyed the sights of Japan.

They married in Chicago. Their wedding was supposed to be in December, but it was postponed for a week due to the holidays. The original date in December was sunny and unseasonably warm. The date in January was a blizzard.

They moved to California for Jerry’s work and when the company closed, they decided to stay and started their family of 3 sons and 2 daughters along with many foster children. They all enjoyed many summer vacations together in various RVs and continued traveling to many parts of the United States and the world for many years.

She volunteered at St. Bede Catholic Church serving as a CCD teacher, substitute teacher at the school as well as at Moreau High School, Lector, counter, Eucharist Minister to the Homebound as well as various school/Parish activities over the years. She became a bookkeeper for several schools within the Oakland Diocese for over 25 years.

As Dad’s health declined, they stayed closer to home until his passing. She came to Las Vegas after some health challenges and enjoyed making new friends at Legacy House.

Some of her fondest memories include going to White Sox games with her Grandmother (Nanny). She was a White Sox fan despite her North Side upbringing and all the Cubs fans in the family.

While her brother George was dating his future wife, they took her for a ride in his car, and she got to ride in the rumble seat.

She was named “Snow Queen” while in Japan and even appeared on Japanese television in a news piece about the base school.

While in Japan, a group went on vacation to Osaka and Kyoto. Upon returning, “Jerry held me hostage until I agreed to marry him.” They played bingo at the Officers Club and after she won $300 in a blackout game, they went the next day to the BX to buy her rings.

She loved her pecan pie and cheesecake!

She is survived by her daughter and 3 sons, 4 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She had a beautiful smile, hearty laugh and in her words, “Lived a very good life.”

A Visitation/Rosary will be held on March 28, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm., with the Funeral Service at 12:00 pm. All services will be held at St Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 6350 N Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89149.

Services may be viewed through the youtube link.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=puxn_urgyY8__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!I9ZXpBxyyW67h_uty18KHen7ENWbWMsWpzVVL6cnq0m5uwD9c8R5q2ZxYg4pitSNTTFeRy23WhCXfG-XsZuVBuRSoilanfw6Jg$

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation in her honor to either St Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Building Fund.

Fond memories and heartfelt condolences may be left for the Higgins family at www.palmnorthwest.com.