Carolyn Rae (Pietrzak) Higgins

CAROLYN RAE (PIETRZAK) HIGGINS

This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Carolyn, born September 14, 1942, to Raymond and Wanda (Sroka) Pietrzak in South Bend, Indiana, joined her heavenly Father on October 7, 2024.  She reunited with her parents, husband, J. Edmond “Ed” Higgins, children:  Elizabeth “Betty” Anne Higgins, Patrick John Higgins, and John Raymond Higgins and her cherished fur babies.

She attended and was a member of the first graduating class of Christ the King School in 1956; graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1960; received a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary’s College; Master of Science and Education Specialist degrees from Indiana University.

Carolyn served in parochial and public schools from 1965 to 2002 as teacher, assistant principal, and principal.  In 2002 she was appointed Assistant Superintendent with the South Bend Community School Corporation, a position she maintained until her retirement in 2007.  She loved every aspect of her career and felt blessed to do what she loved and loved what she did.

Carolyn maintained close contact and friendships with students, parents, coworkers, and community members whose lives she touched and whose lives touched her.  One of her greatest joys was seeing former students and colleagues while out and about.  Amazingly, she always remembered names and faces and remembrances from their time together.

June 20, 1969, Carolyn married J. Edmond Higgins.  They were married 41 years at the time of his passing in 2010.  Survivors include daughter, Mary (Dale) Minich of Umatilla, Florida, and son, Jim of Florida, grandchildren Andrew, Brian, and Alexander Larson, Jessica (Keith) Varga, Cody (Brittney) and Austin Higgins, great grandchildren Braden Varga, Ayliana and Xander Higgins, sisters Julie Fine of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Jane (Steve) King of Walkerton, Indiana.  Carolyn specifically wished to include as family her lifelong friends Jan Putz, Julia Hostetler and Kathryn Cenkush.

Carolyn was a champion of the underdog and an advocate for the underserved.  She was a friend, mentor, educator, community leader, benefactor, and enthusiastic volunteer.  She volunteered her time to organizations from the Boys and Girls Club of St. Joseph County to the Lion’s Club of New Carlisle.  She served as a New Carlisle Town Council member for 9 years.

Her visitation will be held at Kaniewski’s Funeral Home, South Bend.

 Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. concluding with a Rosary service at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions:

Sisters of the Holy Cross

Development Office

407 Bertrand Hall

St. Mary’s Convent

Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

Robert L. Miller, Sr. Veteran Center

747 South Michigan Street

South Bend, Indiana 46601

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