Laura (Blandford) Higgins

Laura Mae (Blandford) Higgins, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday, passed away on July 13, 2021.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Marion Blandford, her sister, Mary Spayde, her brothers Vic Jr. and William Blandford and her husband, the Rev. Edgar Higgins. She is survived by her sons Mark, Andy (Ashley), and John Higgins (Jim Poole) and her grandchildren Brian, Morgan, Skylar, and Cora Higgins. Also surviving are her sister-in-law Carla Blandford and beloved nieces and nephews. Laura graduated from Creston High School (Grand Rapids) and received her BA degree from Kalamazoo College and her Masters degree from Western Michigan University.  She taught in the Grand Rapids Public Schools, LakenHeath Air Force Base in England, and Grand Rapids Community College for many years.

Laura volunteered for her sons’ Cub and Boy Scout groups and Grand Rapids Public School P.T.A.s.  She planned and attended a church youth group trip to Isle Royal National Park, roughing it in a basic cabin with her boys.  She was actively involved at North Park Presbyterian Church for most of her life. Laura enjoyed entertaining family, friends, neighbors and visiting pastors in her family cottage in Bay View. She constantly volunteered and participated in a wide variety of educational, religious, and recreational events.  Attendees delighted when her contagious laugh erupted. An active organizer on the Bay View and Petoskey CROP Walk, she cherished her family, religion, cooking and friendships. 

Her adventurous spirit led her to travel the world throughout her life, even bringing back a Karmann Ghia convertible from Europe after teaching in England.  Laura loved reading; devouring books on topics from Hemingway and Shakespeare to British mysteries. Always learning and open minded, Laura enjoyed theater and cultural events her entire life at Stratford Canada’s Shakespeare Festival and in her beloved Bay View. Attendees delighted when her contagious laugh erupted. May your spirit laugh on Laura, you will be missed.                                       

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in Laura's name to:

North Park Presbyterian Church, 500 North Park Street. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. http://nppchurch.org/

The Blandford Nature Center 1715 Hillburn NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504. www.blandfordnaturecenter.org.

Annual Fund-Recreation of the Bay View Association. PO Box 583 Petoskey, MI 49770 or www.bayviewassociation.org/giving.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM on Thursday, July 29th at the Crouse Memorial Chapel in Bay View, Michigan. Light hors d'oeuvre will be served at Evelyn Hall in Bay View following the service.

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