Obituary of Tina Higgins

Agatina “Tina” Higgins passed away after a brief illness at the Florida Hospital in Ormond Beach on Thursday, May 28, 2009. She was 84 years old. Tina was born in Boston, the daughter of Italian immigrants, the late Orazio and Nunziata Bonaccorsi. She grew up in a home deep-rooted in Italian culture. Tina’s life revolved around her family and home. She was a loving wife, a caring and devoted mother, a proud grandmother and great grandmother. Her home was the gathering place for family and friends. She loved to cook and loved to share her Italian dishes with her guests. She enjoyed traveling. Tina had grown up in Boston. She had raised her family in Somerville and Medford and had spent much of her retirement years in Ormond Beach Florida. She set a wonderful example of motherhood for her children and grandchildren. Her husband Bo was devoted to Tina and lovingly cared for her all their married life. She will be lovingly remembered. Tina was the beloved wife of Borden “Bo” Higgins of Ormond Beach, FL, and the late Warren Kelly. She was the loving mother of Elizabeth Densmore& her husband Stephen of Ormond Beach, FL, Stephen Kelly & his wife Lynn of Burlington, Philip Kelly & his wife Liz of Wilmington, Thomas Kelly & his wife Christine of Acton, and Paul Kelly & his wife Christine of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the sister of Alfred Bonaccorsi of Stoneham and the late Anthony Bonaccorsi. She was the proud grandmother of Lisa, Bobby, Keri, Mark, Kevin, Cheryl, Mike, Brian, Gina, Anna, Rachael, & Nathan. Great grandmother of Kristen, Jayden, & Veronica. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, June 2 at 8:45 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St.Raphael’s Church, 512 High St., Medford at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Memorials in Tina’s name may be made to the Florida Hospital Hospice Care, 770 West Granada BLVD, Suite 304, Ormond Beach, FL 32174. Tom’s words of rememberance My mother was a very loving, caring and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother who always put her family first before herself. As she was growing up, she would always help out and take care of my Mama and Papa Nonie, especially when they later became ill. She would take care of her 2 brothers Freddy and Anthony. My mother was a very young and attractive woman and one day she met my father Warren, fell in love and they were married and had five children. When my father passed away, she was very fortunate (and so are all my brothers and sister) to meet a very loving and caring man named Bo, who made Ma very happy once again and they were married. I still remember today how she used to “doll herself up” while they were dating. As a wife and homemaker, Ma made sure the house was clean, took care of Dad when he was ill and made sure he ate very well. As Bo can tell you, Ma cooked all of his favorite meals and even converted him to being Italian by cooking her famous meals like lasagna, baked rice, stuffed shells just to name a few. As a mother, she made sure we were all fed, prevented us from being sick and when we were sick, took care of us even when she was not feeling well herself. Some “fond memories” my sister Betty, and brothers Steve and Phil have told me to prevent them from getting sick during the winter, was the famous Vicks vaporub under their clothes. Even though this was made it tough going to school for them and as well as for their teachers and classmates, they know Mama had their best interests at heart. I still remember the many times, when I was young and sick with bronchitis. Ma would put up the vaporizer tent around my bed and stay with me in bed all night, even though it was very hot inside, until I was better, no mater how long it took. Even though we did not have money, during our childhood, she made sure her children were able to have fun, by going on day trips to Revere Beach and to Kingston, NH. I remember when she was working at the Laundromat, she would give me and my brother Paul some of her hard earned money so we could go to the Arlington Boys Club for the day. No matter how “naughty” we could be at times, (except for Betty), she always made sure we were safe, loved and cared for. As a Grandmother of twelve and Great Grandmother of three children, she could not be more proud of them. She would always stay in touch through the numerous phone calls she lovingly made. She spoke not only to her grandchildren and children, but had a wonderful relationship with her son in law and all of her daughter in laws. Ma enjoyed the many summers staying in NH, especially the 4th of July family barbeque so that she could see her family. Family was very important to Ma and through visits, phone calls and cards, this definitely made her day!! In closing, I want to thank Bo, whom I am very proud to call my 2nd father Dad, for his undeniable love, devotion and patience he had taking such great care of my mother during the time she was ill by having Ma stay at home as long as she did. I also want to thank Ma’s “favorite” son in law Steve and my sister Betty for providing Mama (as Betty fondly called her) a place to call home, the many trips she took and could not talk enough good things about and other very important personal matters. I also want to thank my brothers Steve, Phil and Paul for going down to Florida to visit and take care of her in order to give Dad and Betty a well deserved break when they were away. If there ever was a person who can come close to be called a living Saint that would be Ma, whom I will always love, be grateful to and will miss very much. Ma, you are finally in no more pain, you know that your children and their families are all fine, so you can now rest in peace and be with Mama and Papa Nonie, Uncle Anthony and Kevin and my father Warren. God bless you! Love your son, Tom