Phyllis D. Higgins, age 86, passed away on August 10, 2010 at her home, 8715 Chipita Park Rd., Chipita Park, Colorado.
Phyllis was born on September 3, 1923 in Girard, Ohio to the late Michael and Mary Fialla. Phyllis graduated from Nazareth Academy High School in La Grange, Illinois. She continued her education by joining the Cadet Nurse Corps and receiving a Nursing degree from Oak Park Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois. She went on to receive a BS degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois and a Masters Degree in Health Administration at St. Francis College in Joliet, Illinois. Her Nursing career entailed duties at Oak Park Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois, South Chicago Community Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Dayton VA Hospital in Dayton, Ohio and her final years at Hines VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois where she retired in 1994 as an Assistant Chief Nurse. Her employment at Hines VA Hospital ended a 32 year affiliation with VA nursing,
She was married to Jack D. Higgins, Berwyn, Illinois who died in 1974. She is survived by her sons; Michael D. (Pamela) Higgins of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado and Patrick D. Higgins of Chipita Park, Colorado; sister-in-law, Carol Higgins Croce of Roosevelt, Utah and by several nieces and nephews.
She was honored to be a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps, (WWII), a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Inc., NARFE (National Association Retired Federal Employees), Ute Pass Lioness Club in Woodland Park, Colorado and Our Lady of the Woods parish in Woodland Park, Colorado.
Visitation was held from 3 PM-7PM on Friday, August 13, 2010 with a rosary at 6:00 PM at Blunt Mortuary Chapel, 2229 W. Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2021 W. Pikes Peak Avenue with burial following at Fairview Cemetery, 1000 S. 26th St., in Colorado Springs.