She was born in 1936 to Claude and Cecil Higgins, and graduated from Somerville High School in 1954. She married The Late Walter Shuley in 1958. He preceded her in death in 2000. She was also preceded in death by her brother Don Higgins, and Walter’s three brothers.
She is survived by her sister Nancy (Higgins) Tango and her brother in law Richard Tango. She is also survived by her three sons, Father Keith, Brian, and Craig Shuley, and Craig’s wife Cathy, her daughter Nadine, and Nadine’s husband, Randy Speers. She was “Grannie” to grandson Ryan Shuley, granddaughter Morgan Shuley, granddaughter Shannon Speers, and grandson John Speers.
Claudette, who was also known as “Pat” or “Patsy” to the Higgins Family, was, at different times in her life, homemaker, community volunteer, CCD Teacher, 4th of July Committee Member, youth and high school sports booster, and parent of at least one student at Barnstable High for 12 consecutive years. She was a regular at the local beach, along with a large group of parents who regularly joined her.
She loved to travel, particularly to Italy, California, and Florida. She once made an epic 5000 mile road trip down the east coast, across the southern USA, and up the west coast.
Brave, strong, deeply religious, and positive until the very end, she surprised her family, caregivers, and hospice team by how long she survived after her cancer diagnosis. She deeply appreciated everything that everyone did for her.
Due to COVID protocols, burial is private, and funeral masses in Florida, and on Cape Cod, will be held after the end of the pandemic. In lieu of flowers, Claudette requested donations to St. Francis Xavier Parish, Hyannis MA, in her memory.
