LACONIA ---- Rita (Paul) Higgins of Laconia, NH and formerly of West Boylston died at Concord Hospital/Laconia on November 9, 2025.
Her husband Edward J. Higgins predeceased her in 1998. She was also predeceased by her brothers Frank Paul, Rev. Gregory Paul, C.P., and Rev. Alexis Paul, C.P. She leaves her son, Lt Col Edward J. Higgins Jr., USAF (Ret) and his wife Kathleen, a granddaughter, Dr. Jennifer Malone, her husband, Jeffery and their two children, Alex and Samantha. She leaves a niece, Julianne Pinto and her husband Gregory and nephews, Gregory Paul, his wife Lelia, and Stephen Paul, his wife Rebecca, and seven grandnieces and grandnephews.
She was born in Norwood, MA, daughter of James and Jesse Paul. She was a graduate of Norwood High School and Modern School of Design of Boston where she majored in fashion and was a communicator for fashion shows in the Boston area. After marriage she was employed as a legal secretary for 23 years for the Law Offices of Russell Anderson and Anderson Jr. of Worcester, MA. She was a member of the Worcester County Legal Secretaries Association and served as the Association's president for two years and named Legal Secretary of the year by the Association. She was a Notary Public. Rita served on the West Boylston Zoning Board of Appeals for 15 years as a member and clerk for the Board. She was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and Our Lady of Good Counsel Women's Club. She also was a volunteer at Notre Dame de Lac Nursing Home.
The funeral will be held Friday November 14, 2025 at 11am, at Our Lady of Good Counsel, West Boylston with burial at Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Brief calling hours will be held that same morning from 9:30 to 10:30 at Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston St. West Boylston.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Passionist Fathers at Holy Family Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT 06107.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.