Monticello, IL

Joan R. Higley, of Monticello IL, formerly a longtime resident of Salem, MA and Center Harbor NH, passed away peacefully on July 17th at the Piatt County Nursing Home in Monticello, IL after dealing with a lengthly illness with much faith, courage and grace. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Edward H. Lucie and Katherine (Kelleher) Lucie. Joan was also pre deceased by her dear sister Helen M. Lucie. She was the beloved wife of the late George E. Higley, a well known Salem educator, administrator and Salem YMCA swim coach. Devoted mother of Helen M. Stock and her husband Douglas of Wellesley,MA; George E. Higley and his wife Marilyn of Easton, MD; Mary H. Hittmeier and her husband Mike of Mansfield, Il; and Catherine E. DeVera and her husband Hal of Davis, CA. Much adored Nana of Jonathan, Justin, Lindsey, Meghan, Natalie, Lauren, Winston and Meredith. She also leaves cousins Mary Jane Veronese, Barbara Putnam, John Morris, the late Joseph Morris and their wonderful families.

Joan was educated in Salem at St. James High School, where she was her class president and valedictorian. She then graduated from Salem Commercial College and served as the Assistant City Clerk for the City of Salem,MA.
She was a life long devout Catholic and former active parishioner of St. James Church and after she was married, the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem. In Monticello, she was an active member of St Philomena's Parish and enjoyed membership in the parish senior group .

Joan was a longtime member of the Catholic Daughters of America Salem Court 434, a past member of the Faculty Wives of Salem State College, a dedicated past parent volunteer for the Salem YMCA swim team and her children's school athletic teams. She continued to always be a source of wisdom, faith and encouragement to her family and many friends. Joan also enjoyed encouraging her beloved grandchildren in their many interests, talents and accomplishments. In addition, Joan was very creative and enjoyed gardening, decorating, sewing and traveling. Joan will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and her outgoing, gracious, compassionate, encouraging and endearing personality. She was a very special person who found goodness in everyone and was a model of faith in action.

Her funeral will be held on Thursday at 9:15 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. (cor of North ST) Salem to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. in the Immaculate Conception Church, Hawthorne Boulevard, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Internment will follow at Star of the Sea Cemetery, Marblehead, MA. Visiting hours will be Wednesday at the Murphy Funeral from 4PM to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's memory to The Piatt Co. Nursing Home Foundation, P.O. Box 410, Monticello, IL 61856. For more information call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.