Obituary of Sr. Jane Higgins, R.S.M.

Sister Jane Higgins, formerly Sister Mary Eugene, died peacefully on August 29, 2018 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center. Sister was the youngest child of John and Margaret Higgins born in Palmyra, New Jersey. She attended Sacred Heart School in neighboring Riverton and then attended Camden Catholic High School. Sister Jane graduated from high school in 1941 and entered the Sisters of Mercy in Watchung the following September. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Georgian Court College, now University in Lakewood, NJ. Then Sister Jane continued her studies and completed a Masters Degree in Theology at Villavova University in Pennsylvania. Sister Jane's first teaching assignment brought her to St. Paul School in Burlington where she taught for thirteen years before being reassigned to St. Ann School in Keansburg. From there she was assigned to the newly opened Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville; afterwards, Sister Jane was appointed principal at St. Joseph School in Bound Brook. Following her term as principal, she taught at St. James School in Red Bank. Sister Jane moved to St. Francis Cathedral School in Metuchen. In 1982 she was assigned to St. Paul School in Princeton where she resided for the next thirty four years, serving at various times as teacher, assistant principal and receptionist. While serving at St. Paul School, Sister Jane oversaw many service projects especially to those in nursing facilities. Reaching out to others as a vital part of Christian life and critical concern as a Sister of Mercy was her hallmark. Sister Jane lived it herself and never missed an opportunity to encourage it in the children and families whose lives she touched deeply. Sister Jane retired in 2016 to Mount St. Mary and then to McAuley Hall Health care Center. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. Visitation on Saturday, September 1st from 9 to 11 am with a Welcome Home Service at 10 am at McAuley Hall. The Funeral Mass is 11 am followed by interment at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in South Plainfield. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Sisters of Mercy, 1645 Highway 22 Watchung, NJ 07609. To send condolences please go to www.higginsfuneralhome.com.