Janice (Tivnan) Higgins

SALEM – Mrs. Janice (Tivnan) Higgins, of Salem, beloved wife of 50 years to the late Paul J. Higgins, passed away peacefully, April 21st, 2021. 

Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Jack and Ruth Tivnan. She was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of Salem High School. She continued her education at Salem State College, earning her Bachelor’s Degree. While raising her family, she returned to Salem State College, earning her Master’s Degree in Education.

A life time Educator, Mrs. Higgins was a teacher at the Horace Mann School in Salem for many years. She truly loved her profession and made an enormously positive impact on all of her students. 

A loving wife, devoted mother, caring grandmother and great grandmother, loyal sister and friend, Jan was truly dedicated to her family. A proud woman of Irish heritage and deep Catholic faith, she enjoyed spending her time reading and knitting. She relished time spent at the beach and family vacations to Cape Cod. She was an ardent supporter of Salem High School Athletics and could often be found on the side lines or in the crowd supporting her children and grandchildren at all of their endeavors. She was their greatest enthusiast. Family was paramount in her life. 

Jan will be remembered for her love of family, her steadfast faith, her ever present smile and infectious laugh. 

Janice is survived by her children, Maryellen Wioncek and her husband, Joseph, Thomas Higgins and his wife, Krissy, James Higgins and his wife, Jill and Mark Higgins and his wife, Michelle, her grandchildren, Marykate Gass and her husband, Christopher, JohnPaul Wioncek and his wife, Krista, Jillian Jones and her husband, Daniel, Joseph Wioncek and his wife, Kayla, Jake, Carly and Brooke Higgins, Emma, Jack and Laura Higgins and Marcus, Tyson and Adison Higgins, her great grandchildren, Declan, Merrick, Cedar, Theodore and Jameson, her sisters, MaryEllen Cullen and her husband, William, Kathleen Hayes and her husband, David, Judy Tivnan and her husband, John Hall, Terry Tivnan and his wife, Raana, James Tivnan and his wife, Karen and Paul Tivnan, her sister-in-law, Barbara Tivnan, her dear cousin, Mary Margaret Fanning and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. She was the sister of the late Mike Tivnan.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral will be held from O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem, Wednesday, April 28^th at 10 A.M. followed by her funeral Mass in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Margin St., Peabody at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. All attendees must register to attend the funeral Mass by clicking the RSVP link below or by calling the funeral home (978-744-2350). Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours Tuesday, April 27^th from 4 to 7 P.M. All attendees are required to wear face coverings and are kindly asked to practice social distancing. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Janice’s memory to Care Dimension, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923. To share a memory, offer a condolence or to register to attend the Funeral Mass, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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