Jean Helen Higgins

Jean Helen (McKibben) Higgins passed away Monday, January 31, 2022, at her residence in Zionsville, IN at the age of 98. Jean was born to Robert and Helen (Mewhinney) McKibben November 2, 1923, in Indianapolis, IN. Born and raised on the east side of Indianapolis, she attended IPS schools and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School. She had one sister, Margaret, with whom she remained close until Margaret’s passing in 2006.

Jean married George W. Higgins, a fellow Tech High School grad, on August 26, 1944. They resided in Indianapolis, IN; Atlanta, GA; Hammond, IN; Elyria, OH; Ada, MI; Lowell, MI; and Brighton, MI. Jean was a homemaker and raised 5 daughters and 1 son. After George’s death, Jean moved back to Indianapolis to take care of her mother-in-law until she passed. Jean had a beautiful singing voice and sang at the Irvington United Methodist Church.

Jean moved to Zionsville, IN in 1990, and while there, Grandma Jean cared for many of her grandchildren and later, her great-grandchildren, waiting for the school bus to drop them off from elementary school, offering snacks, tea parties, and playing Tiddly Winks with them.

Jean loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren, frequently hosting Fourth of July and Christmas Day celebrations. She was a warm-hearted, loving woman and the kindest mother and grandmother. Late in life she loved putting together puzzles, always asking her daughters to take pictures of her completed works. Pictures of her family are proudly posted everywhere throughout her house, displaying the love for her family.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, sister Margaret “Peg” (Robert) Reid, husband George (1978), and son Michael (1969). She is survived by her daughters Kathleen (Lawrence) Fon, Maureen (Stephen) Senour, Coleen (Don [deceased]) Mallett, Eileen Higgins, and Megeen (Terry) Washington, 6 grandchildren (Emily, Wendy, Sally, Betsy, George, and Patrick), and 7 great-grandchildren (Amy, Amber, Kaleb, James, Eli, Addison, and Alex). She will be greatly missed by her family.