Obituary of Donna M. Higgins

Donna Marie Marker was born on February 9th, 1945 to Dr. Richard Marker and his wife, Mary. She would enjoy living in Langhorne with her mother, father and brother, George, as well as attending school with her brother at Our Lady of Grace. Donna would often accompany her father, Dr. Marker, when he would visit the Marist Seminary to treat seminarians who were ill. She was always so taken with how kind, generous and compassionate her father was with his patients and wanted to emulate those same qualities in her own life.

Donna graduated from Our Lady of Grace in 1959 and decided to attend high school at Gwynedd Mercy Academy, graduating in 1963. After graduation from high school, she attended Gwynedd Mercy University where she majored in Education. After graduating from college, she taught for a few years and then started working for the Director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Donna's role was to visit various parishes and publicize the CCD programs.

It was during this stage of her career that she met Jim Higgins, a widowed father of three young boys under six years old. Jim first saw Donna as she quickly passed in front of his car one day as he was dropping his sons off to school. Something came over him as she passed in front of his car that he still cannot explain to this day. He had no idea who she was, but soon came across her again at a PTA meeting where he was introduced to her after she had given a presentation. He was so impressed with her speech that he approached her after to let her know what an excellent speech she had presented to the PTA.

After a few years of dating, they married in 1970 and Donna became an instant mother to Jim's three sons. A few years after that they had two children of their own. Shortly thereafter, Donna went back into education in an administrative role at Villa Victoria Academy where she eventually became Director of Admissions.

Donna was known and loved for her kindness and warm heart. She made so many feel welcome with her joyful smile and always put others first. Meeting Donna for the first time, many will remark on her ability to have genuine conversation and her light-hearted humor would always make you feel at ease. The spirit of generosity, warmth and compassion that she saw in her father endured in her spirit of helpfulness to others.

Donna, especially, has always remembered her children, their spouses and her grandchildren on all the special days in their lives. It has always been important to her to let her family and friends know how special, dear and loved they are to both her and Jim.

Since retirement, Donna has been in ill health for the last several years. She returned home to our Divine Lord on All Saints Day, Friday, November 1st , 2024.

Rest Well Donna! We love and pray for you and will dearly miss you. You have blessed our lives.

Jim, your children Jim, Brian, Kevin, Ellen and Brendan, their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren

Visitation will be held Saturday, November 9th, 2024 from 9:30am to 10:30am with the Funeral Mass following at 10:30am at St. John the Evangelist Church 752 Big Oak Rd. Morrisville, PA 19067

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Villa Victoria Academy 376 W. Upper Ferry Rd. Ewing, NJ 08628.

Arrangements are under the care of the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Avenue Yardley, PA 19067. Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.