1950 - 2025
Visitation
February 5, 20253-7 PM
Dolan Funeral Home 106 Middlesex St. North Chelmsford, MA
Funeral
February 6, 202510 AM
St. Catherine of Alexandria Church 107 N Main St. Westford, MA 01886
Claire M. Higginbotham, 74, of Hollis, NH entered into eternal rest Thursday evening January 30, 2025 at Fairview Nursing Home in Hudson, NH with her beloved children by her side after a long battle with brain cancer.
She was married for 30 years to the love of her life, the late John Keith Higginbotham who died January 20, 2013. Together their love for each other flourished into a large family with a household filled with laughter and love for one another.
Born in Cambridge, MA, she was the daughter of the late Francis J. Murphy and Genevieve Wells Murphy. She was also predeceased by her brother, Kevin Murphy.
Claire grew up in Concord, MA and graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School in 1968. After graduation, she attended Greenfield Community College and began her career at Liberty Mutual. Claire then worked at Digital Equipment Corporation where she was afforded the opportunity to move to Georgia, Keith’s home state, where she began her family and made many lasting friendships before finally returning to Massachusetts to raise her family. She retired in 2017 from Juniper Networks in Westford, MA. For the last two years, Claire lived in Hollis, NH with her daughter and family where she enjoyed seeing her grandchildren laugh and grow.
Claire lived every aspect of her life surrounded by family and community. She raised her family as active communicants of Blessed Trinity Parish at St. Catherine of Alexandria, was an avid reader who enjoyed her monthly book club meetings, and cherished making memories at the beach with her family and friends in Kennebunk, Maine.
Claire is survived by her daughter, Kelly and her husband, Michael Zammitti of Hollis, NH; her three sons, Craig and his wife, Lia Higginbotham of Nashua, NH and Kyle Higginbotham and his wife, Casey Doyle of Atkinson, NH, and John Higginbotham of Social Circle, GA; her brothers, Dennis Murphy and wife, Cindy of Concord, MA, Brian Murphy and wife, Gail of Pepperell, MA, Sean Murphy and wife, Susan of Maynard, MA; her sister, Kathy Murphy and husband, Don Prevost of Columbus, MO; seven grandchildren, Jessica, Jimmy, Landon, Jackson, Oliver, Wesley, and Owen; two great grandchildren, Chandler and Riley as well as many nieces and nephews.
Claire’s visiting hours will be Wed., Feb. 5, 2025 from 3 to 7pm. Funeral Thurs., Feb. 6, 2025 at 9am from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 MIDDLESEX STREET, N. CHELMSFORD, MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Westford, MA. Burial in St. Catherine Cemetery, Westford, MA. Memorials may be made in her name to the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel St., Suite 6, Newton, MA 02458. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com
Sandy Peirce
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Dear Family,
I’m remembering growing up with Claire in the 60s on Peter Spring Rd. & Minuteman Dr. I was so happy to see her again at our 50th CCHS reunion, and am so sorry to hear of her passing. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Sandy Rosa Peirce
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Loretta M. West
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My sincerest condolences to Claire’s family. It is sad to learn she passed away after her cancer battle. It was nice, also to see her again at the CCHS 50th Reunion. Rest in Peace. 🙏
Loretta West
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Christina
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I love Claire. She was fun, and sassy and quirky and loveable. She had the absolute best hugs in the world. She cared about you and had a way of expressing it that made you feel loved. She was wise and she occasionally would say something so on target it took a minute to digest. She loved her family fiercely. She was non judgmental and was the queen of the zinger. Just when things got heavy she could break the whole room into hysterics. I remember her laugh so well. She wanted you to just have the best life. She was always happy for you when appropriate and mad for you when you needed it. Her opinion was invaluable and she was greatly loved. She didn’t care about the things the world cared about, but esteemed people and relationships above all else. She Would drop everything and drive 10 hours to be with a suffering loved one. I will always remember her this way. She was a courageous, take no crap, clear the way for the real stuff kinda girl. She will be greatly missed. She is greatly loved. Many of my fondest memories are sitting around Maricia’s table just talking with Claire and eating Keith’s biscuits and laughing about the crazy things life sends our way. Hanging on her next pause, just knowing she’s got that look in her eye and what comes next will be uproariously funny. I praise the Lord for the fact that I will see you again and have that hug and hear that laugh.
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Vickie Panetta
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Claire was a beautiful woman who enjoyed Family parties with her whole gang. You could see how Happy she was with her Beautiful smile. Prayers for her family, friends and all who loved her 🙏🙏
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