Frances 'Fran' Higgins, 96 years old, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2024 in Shrewsbury, NJ. Born in Elizabeth, she lived most of her life in Scotch Plains.

Fran was a loving wife, predeceased by her husband, William 'Bill' Higgins of 53 years; parents Edythe and James Byrnes; brother James Byrnes and sister Betty Ann Lyons. 

She was a devoted mother to Patricia Hussey of Long Branch and Mary Spreitzer of Red Bank; cherished grandmother to Erin Murphy; Kaitlin, John William, and Sara Spreitzer and great grandmother to Daniel, Katherine, and Annie Murphy.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Wednesday, October 16 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave, Westfield, NJ 07090.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 17 at 10:00 AM at the Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, 1571 S. Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ.