Rita V. (Cyr) Higgins, 87, formerly of Windsor St., died Thursday, March 20, 2008. Her husband, Walter S. Higgins, Sr., died in 1990. She is survived by 12 of her 13 children, Judith Ann LeFort and Margaret E. Counihan, both of Worcester, Joan E. Pabley of Paxton, Mary Ann Higgins Beeler of Brattleboro, VT; Jane Higgins Conti of Woodstock, CT; Walter S. Higgins, Jr. of Shrewsbury, Gary W. Higgins of Sterling, Elliott C. Higgins of Orange, Alan P. Higgins of Worcester, Peter J. Higgins of Dudley, David M. Higgins of Holden, and Ronald R. Higgins of Rutland; 2 sisters, Alice Cormier of Auburn and Claire Steele of Maryland; 21 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and many nephews & nieces. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy (Higgins) Novak and 4 sisters: Blanch Tower, Henrietta Holt, Loraine Morrissey, and Caline Burton.

   She was born in Framingham, daughter of Anna (Breault) and Oscar C. Cyr. She was raised in Worcester and was a graduate of Commerce High School. Rita was a life-long member of St. Bernard’s Parish and attended St. Catherine of Sweden while living on SW Cutoff. She was a dedicated gardener, an avid patron of the arts, and a loving mother and grandmother.

   Funeral services will be held Tues., March 25, from Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St. with a Mass in St. Bernard’s, 228 Lincoln St. at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours will be held at Nordgren Memorial Chapel Monday, March 24, from 6-8 p.m. Flowers may be sent or donations made to St. Bernard’s, Outreach Programs, 228 Lincoln St., Worcester MA 01605.