JoAnn - Higgs' Obituary
After fighting valiantly against lymphoma since 2008, Jo Ann Higgs graduated to her heavenly home on January 22, 2014.
Jo Ann was born in Longview, WA on January 17, 1942, to Theron and Marjorie Trisdale. She learned the solid work ethic that guided her life from her parents on the family farm in Goble, OR. In 1960, she graduated from Rainier Union High School, Rainier, OR, as the Valedictorian.
Jo Ann married Larry Higgs on April 4, 1980, in Vancouver, WA. They resided in the Pacific Northwest for all of their married life. In 1984, Jo Ann began pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. In 1987, she graduated with an Applied Associate degree in nursing from Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee, Washington.
For the next 20 years, Jo Ann worked in various hospitals and medical facilities as a Registered Nurse. Her main specialties were geriatrics and acute care. In 2006, she retired from Legacy Health after five years on the med-surge floor at Emmanuel Hospital.
In retirement, Jo Ann expanded her love of gardening by becoming a Master Gardener. She volunteered for countless hours at the St. Helens Senior Center. Her love for Jesus Christ was demonstrated by all the time she spent teaching Sunday school, working with the youth, serving in the kitchen, beautifying the church yard and serving as treasurer at First Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Higgs; her three sons, Christopher Wright of New York City, Scott Higgs of Tillamook and Ivan Higgs of Portland and two daughters, Connie Kramberg of Kelso, WA, and Shari Hughson of Columbia City. Her son, Erik Higgs preceded her in death, as did both of her parents and her brother, John Trisdale. She has two remaining brothers: Michael Trisdale of St. Mary’s, ID, and Fred Trisdale of Albany, OR, as well as 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at First Missionary Baptist Church, St. Helens, at 10 am on Saturday, February 1 with a reception following.
The family requests potted flowers and plants that can be added to a memorial garden honoring JoAnn’s love of plants. Financial donations in her memory should be sent to I-5 Ministries.
On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.columbiafh.com.
Columbia Funeral Home, Directors.
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