Obituary of Eileen Frances Higgins

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Eileen Frances (Cole) Higgins, wife of the late Glendon Raymond Higgins, announce her passing on Monday, September 15th, 2025.  Eileen was born on June 20, 1932, in Saint John, NB, to the late Thomas L. Cole and Rena A. (Northrup) Cole.

Eileen graduated from St. Vincent’s Girls High School and NB Teachers College, teaching at Saint Peter’s, her Elmore Crescent kindergarten and St. Patrick’s School. For a second career, Glendon and Eileen purchased the Valley Motel & Restaurant in Sussex, NB.  Eileen adored her family and loved being surrounded by them, playing music, singing, and enjoying meals together. Mom was proud of her Irish roots, visiting Ireland often and writing letters and cards to her Twomey, Cole & Cotter family until her final year.

You will be dearly missed, “Mom,” “Nanny”, and “Grammy”. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and dedication you gave to our entire family.

Eileen will be dearly missed by her children, Anne (Don Soucy), Brian (Caroline), and John (Virginia); grandchildren: Sean, Colin, Chris, Brianna, Jessica, Jonathan, Matthew and Laura; great-grandchildren Annalise, Van, Quinn, Jaxon, Maddison, Olivia, Jasmine, Saffron, Leo, Anna, Joshua, Levi, Ruth, Joni and Eileen’s brothers Brendan Cole and Gary Cole.

In addition to her parents and husband, Eileen was predeceased by her siblings, Thomas Cole and Norman Cole, sister-in-laws Valerie Cole and Eleanor Cole.

A special thank you to Dr. Bewick and the staff of the Heart Function clinic, as well as friends and staff at the Chateau Champlain.

Arrangements are under the care of Castle Fallsview Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Ave. Saint John, NB E2M 2L3, 506-634-1701. A private family graveside service will take place at St Joseph’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eileen’s memory can be made to Bobby’s Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.