Shirley Anne Higgins, 71, Pharmacy Nursing Consultant

She was born July 23, 1935 in Granite City, Illinois. She was raised in Lorain and has been a resident of Amherst since 1960.

Shirley received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing from Ohio State University in 1957. She was employed as a public health nurse in Columbus for three years. She was also a pharmacy nursing consultant for twenty years at Community Health Partners in Lorain and the Lakeland Medical Center in Lorain where she worked with her husband and sons at Higgins Pharmacy in Amherst. She was an active member of ST. Joseph Catholic in Amherst where she served as eucrastic minister and did volunteer work. She was also active with the St. Joseph Catholic School as a volunteer and working with the children. Shirley was a member and served on the board of Visiting Nurses Association of American and was a past member of the American Association of University Women. She was an accomplished pianist, enjoyed theater arts, and was an Ohio State fan where her grandson participated as Brutus, the Buckeye. Shirley devoted the bulk of her life to the service of her family.

Survivors include her husband of fifty years, Edward Higgins, Jr.; her sons Keith Higgins and Kyle Higgins, both of Amherst; her daughter Lee Anne Aten of Centerville, Ohio; her mother Clara Pryatel (nee: Holtz) of Lorain; eleven grandchildren; and her brothers Richard A. Pryatel, DDS of Mentor, and Robert C. Pryatel of Lorain.

She was preceded in death by her son, Brian Higgins on May 14, 2002; and by her father Dr. Anthony L. Pryatel in 1965.

Friends may call Thursday, August 10, 2006 from 7-9 p.m. and Friday from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 12, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. from St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. The Rev. Fr. Lawrence Martello, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Rev. Fr. Thomas Webber will co-officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph School Renovation Program 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst, Ohio 44001.