PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Catherine "Kay" (Sheehan) Higgins, 87, of Marblehead, Mass., formerly of Pittsfield passed away peacefully on January 14, 2019, in Marblehead, Mass., surrounded by her family. 

Kay was born November 12, 1931, in Burlington, Vermont, daughter of the late Catherine A. (Connors) Sheehan and Harold J. Sheehan. Kay lived in Vermont until the age of 10 and moved to Pittsfield, Mass., after her father's passing in 1941. Kay was the wife of John Patrick Higgins, who predeceased her in 2011. She was educated in Richmond, Vt., and Pittsfield schools.

Kay was a lifelong homemaker and devoted mother of five children. She instilled in all of them the importance of education and love of learning. After raising her family, Kay enjoyed traveling to visit her children and 10 grandchildren around the country. She also took numerous trips to visit her brother Joe in the many cities he lived in throughout the country over many years.

Kay was a devout Catholic, loved to laugh, sing, play games (was an "expert" Chinese checker player) and was a passionate follower of politics and the Democratic party. Kay had a kind and gentle personality, a wonderful sense of humor and was loved by all who knew her. 

She leaves her five children, Cathleen A Higgins of Cambridge, Mass., Colleen E. Higgins and husband Charles Cook of Fulton, N.Y., John M. Higgins and wife Mary of Manchester, Mass., Maureen C. Higgins and husband Jan Chciuk-Celt of Portland, Ore., and Timothy J Higgins of Chelmsford, Mass.; 10 grandchildren, Devin, Rachel, Emily, Elizabeth, Bridget, Thomas, Louis, Edward, Katie and Riley; her beloved sister-in-law Helen Doyle; cherished cousin Betty Harmon; dear long-time friend Andrea Dimassimo of Pittsfield; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph C. Sheehan.

Kay's family wishes to thank The Lafayette for their compassionate care and loving attention in her time there.

Funeral notice: Calling hours will be held Saturday, January 19, 2019, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Michael Shershanovich, Pastor. 

Burial will follow in Ashuelot Cemetery in Dalton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Berkshire United Way or The Lafayette, A skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility, in her name in care of the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St Pittsfield, MA 01201.