Ruth Higgins of East Syracuse, passed away on September 30, 2014. She is survived by her brother, John Gabel of Philadelphia; her five children, Carolyn Rush and Joe Maryak of Oswego, Pat Higgins and Fred Gardner of Little York, Marty and Rita Higgins of Fulton, Marilyn Higgins and David Higgins, both of Syracuse. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Andrew Rush, Adrienne Englund, Kim Higgins, Marty Higgins, Heather Niver, Quinn Gardner and Daniel Rohde; nine great-grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews. Ruth grew up with her parents, Anna and William Gabel; four brothers, Bill, Frank, John and Bobby; and her sister, Mary, in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Germantown High School and worked for the Penn Central Railroad during World War II. Throughout much of her life, Ruth enjoyed annual visits home, where, at her mother's dining room table on Conrad Street, she reveled in her brothers' Irish humor. After the war and her marriage to Martin Higgins of Manlius, NY, she moved to the rural areas east of Syracuse. The family later moved to East Syracuse, where she remained throughout her life. In addition to raising her five children, Ruth worked at Royal Globe Insurance and retired from the NYS Workers Compensation Board. Known as a good listener, she cultivated lifelong friendships at work and in the Park Hill neighborhood. She retained particularly close friendships with her sisters-in-law, Kate Ryan of Manlius and Helen Gabel of Albuquerque, New Mexico throughout her life. Ruth was proud of the character, accomplishments and closeness of her five children and always welcomed their friends into her home. She dearly loved and came to know well, each of her grandchildren. Her great-grandchildren began arriving when she was in her eighties. She could often be seen having one-on-one conversations with each of them at the large and frequent Higgins family gatherings on Lake Ontario. Ruth was a voracious reader throughout her life. She instilled a deep appreciation for books and learning in her family. She was fascinated by ancient history, and she loved the green vistas of upstate New York, Masterpiece Theatre, Syracuse University basketball, and playing scrabble. A hard working, deeply loved, intelligent and resilient woman, Ruth will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Eaton Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. A short ceremony celebrating Ruth's life will be held there the following morning at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Onondaga County Veterans Cemetery. Flowers are welcome as are contributions to the East Syracuse Public Library, 4990 James St. E., East Syracuse, NY 13057.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard from Oct. 1 to Oct. 2, 2014