Carol Mildred (Nichols) Higgins

Carol Mildred (Nichols) Higgins, Gates, New York, aged 88, after a long illness. Predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Arnold Roy Higgins; parents, Lowell A. and Mildred C. (Bruckner) Nichols, and her sister Sharon L. (Larry) Mitchell. She is survived by her children David (Lisa) Higgins and Cheryl (Bruce) Downer; 3 grandchildren, Angelica Downer, Thomas Downer and Anastasia Downer; 3 great grandchildren; brother and sisters-in-law Charles and Gloria Higgins, Helen and Robert Maclauchlan; many nieces & nephews and Sundae the grandpup. Carol lived her entire life (with the exception of a few years in California) in Gates Center. During her lifetime, she helped her parents and extended family run several businesses (Nichols Garage, Nichols Motel, seasonal rental cabins and the Nichols Mobile Home Park). She and her husband also ran businesses of their own (Royes Electronics and Kringle’s Korner). Carol was a longtime member of Gates Presbyterian Church. She worked at RG&E, Rochester Country Club, Donuts Delite and Wegmans on Lyell Ave. Carol was a devoted daughter, wife and mother. She took great pride in making their old run down farmhouse a beautiful home. With a healthy dose of the “Nichols Wit”, Carol was fun to be with. Starting at a young age, she attended all the dances at the old Grange with her father’s dance band and became a talented pianist. She filled her home with love, music and laughter. She loved to have friends over for lunch and present a well-decorated table. She loved decorating her home for all the holidays – especially Christmas. Everyone felt welcomed and she had an uncanny way of making friends and was a friend to all.
Calling hours will be held at 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at Noon at James R. Gray Funeral Home, 1530 Buffalo Road, Gates, NY., on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Interment to follow, in Grove Place Cemetery.

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