Yvette Higgins

Yvette was born on November 27, 1967 in Pasadena, California, to Dwight and Eva Magness. She spent the majority of her life in California where she met her husband, Patrick, and started their family of four. The family moved to DeWitt in 2006 where Yvette quickly immersed herself in the community. She was an enthusiastic volunteer at her children’s schools and their extracurricular activities. She spent countless hours organizing dinners, making pies, being a DeWitt Band Booster, and supporting the DeWitt swim team.

As a friend once said, she was an amazing woman who never knew a stranger. Yvette poured her heart into the lives of her four children, family, friends, and community. She put the needs of others above her own and had a giving spirit. Yvette brought passion into every aspect of her life. She will be remembered for her giant heart, quick wit and infectious laugh. She loved to cook and her house became a second home for family, friends, band kids, and swimmers who wanted a delicious meal. She had a dynamic personality who showed her California roots in all of her interactions.

Yvette was a wife, sister, daughter and aunt, but above all she was a mother and wanted to be remembered in these words: “When my children remember their childhood, I want only for them to remember that their Mother gave it her all.” She worried too much. She failed at times. And she did not always get it right. But she tried her hardest to teach them all about kindness, compassion, and honesty. Even if she had to learn it from her own mistakes, she loved them enough to keep going. Even when things seemed hopeless and life knocked her down, I want them to remember me as the woman who always got back up.”

Yvette is preceded in death by her son Tylor, her grandfather Joseph Milkowski, San Marino, CA. She is survived by her husband Patrick; daughters Shannon, Kenna and Kasie; parents, Dwight and Eva Magness; sister, Jessica Manzano, and her children, Brittaney, Jordan and Jacob, all from Fillmore, CA; There are too many loving sisters & brothers-in-law and nieces & nephews to mention, many from Jackson, MI

Yvette worked in various administrative positions at Sparrow Hospital, where she made lasting connections and friendships with the staff there. She was grateful for these friends as they cared and supported her through her final days. A very special thanks to Sparrow Hospital.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 9 at 11:00am at the Catholic Community of St Jude, 801 N. Bridge St., DeWitt, MI. Visitation at Gorsline Runciman will be Tuesday March 7, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:00 pm, with a Rosary at 7:30 pm. The family is being served by the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt, MI 48820. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to 5th Third Bank, Yvette M. Magness Memorial Fund or http://gofundme.com/qxssztz8.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grdewitt.com.