Alice D. Higgins

Alice D. (Larina) Higgins, 95, of Brick, NJ, passed away peacefully at home Monday, July 31, 2023.

She was born May 3, 1928 in Paterson, NJ, later moving to Wyckoff to raise her family, before retiring at the shore.

Alice received her Associates Degree from Ocean County College in 1986 at the age of 58, encouraging others to further their education as well. As she was always motivated to learn as much as she possibly could. She was a homemaker, a successful business woman, and landowner for many years who also held her builders license. 

Alice was a member of the Circle K club at Ocean County College, The American Legion Aux, and volunteered at the Youth Center. Although she was a practicing Catholic, she also enjoyed experiencing other religious faiths as well. She was also involved with the Mother of Twins club of Ocean County along with her daughter for 33 years, never missing grandmother’s night, auctions, and “Tea for Two'', all while being a grandmother of twins and also becoming a great grandmother of twins.

Words to describe her:  Energetic, persistent, determined, independent, sentimental, smart, generous, humorous, and stubborn. 

Quotes she loved included:

 “A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits” -Ernest Hemingway

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love” - Mother Teresa

“ Que sera sera” (Whatever will be will be) -Jay Livingston

She loved crafting, attending theater shows, especially “Little Women”, was a self-taught piano player, loved browsing yard sales, holiday bazaars, cooking, presidential trivia, reading, tea parties with friends and family, playing MahJong, telling enthusiastic stories of the past to her grandchildren and making homemade cards with her ink and stamp collection. You could usually find Alice spending time at the library, and the post office where they all knew her by name. She was a pen pal to everyone and loved receiving personal cards and letters from her friends and family. She lived a long fulfilling 95 years surrounded by her loving husband, family, friends and every heart she touched.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Sr. in 2023, whom she married September 19, 1954 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC. Her mother Teresa Di Lorenzo, Father Peter Larina, and eight siblings: Salvatore Alcaro (Tootie), Danny Alcaro, Larry Alcaro, Thomas Alcaro, Louie Larina, Madeline Butler, John Larina, and Anna Lassiter. Also, her beloved cat sneakers. 

Alice is survived by her children Joseph J. Higgins Jr. and wife Nancy of Brick, NJ, Randal L. Higgins and wife Cathy of Brick, NJ,  Betty Ann Bussell and her husband Bruce of Waretown, NJ, 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Wednesday, August 9, 2023 9:30am at St. Justin the Martyr RC Church, Toms River. Burial to follow at Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River.

In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to Deborah Heart and Lung Foundation

Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 995 Fischer Blvd., Toms River, is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.  

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