Kathleen A. Higgins Hance

Kathleen A. Higgins Hance 1948 - 2010 SOUTHWICK � Kathleen Ann Higgins Hance, the creative whirlwind extraordinaire, passed peacefully from this life to the next, surrounded by her loving daughters and daughter-in-law, on March 19, 2010. She was born in Holyoke on January 16, 1948 to Patrick J. Higgins and Patricia (Sullivan) Higgins. She was an employee of Riverbend Medical Group for the past 25 years. Cathi�s courageous spirit continued to amaze her girls right to the end by being strong, positive and sharing her gift of humor. A generous soul, one of her favorite memories was �being Oprah� one Christmas by giving her daughters and granddaughters a family trip to Mexico. Cathi will be deeply missed by her daughters, Kelly P. Hance, Tara M. Hance and her wife Roe Rattelle, Erin B. Reardon and her husband Daniel and Meghan K. Hance; her granddaughters, Katelyn Petta, Brandi Tourville and Morgan and Moira Reardon, all of Holyoke. Cathi is survived by her parents; her sister, Patricia (Higgins) Gareau and her husband Denis of Granby and her brothers Peter J. Higgins and his wife Kathy of West Springfield and Michael J. Higgins and his wife Mary Frances. Cathi also leaves to cherish her memory, several aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and her special friend and partner Raymond Lakota. Cathi requested that family and friends refrain from wearing black to her services. A funeral procession will form on Thursday, March 25 at 8:45 a.m. at the Messier Funeral Home, 1944 Northampton St, Holyoke. There will be a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions, may be made in Cathi�s memory, to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure � Massachusetts Affiliate, P.O. Box 845037, Boston, MA, 02284-5037.