FOUNDING member of both the Milton-Ulladulla U3A and Alliance Française de Milton Ulladulla, Marcia Higgs died peacefully on October 5, aged 97 years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mrs Higgs and her husband Harry, who passed away in October 1994, were the founders of the local branch of the University of the Third Age (U3A) when they retired to the district in 1988.
Until recently, Mrs Higgs was active in U3A, giving many years of service as a French language tutor as well as being an attender at many courses and, in recognition, was made the patron of the group.
U3A president Enid Everingham said the campus presented its courses in the Harry Higgs Room in the Milton Cultural Centre, named in honour of Mr Higgs’ work for U3A.
“Marcia was a high school French teacher who was married to Harry Higgs, a rocket scientist who worked in the UK and at the Woomera Rocket Range.
“They retired to Ulladulla where Harry set up U3A Milton Ulladulla in 1988 with Marcia teaching Advanced French as a founding course.
“She taught the course for 18 years.”
Mrs Everingham said U3A had grown significantly since the couple started the branch, and now had 350 active members and presented an average of 30 courses per term.
“The growth of the organisation is something that Marcia was proud of,” she said.
“After Harry died, Marcia continued to work for U3A and the Alliance Francaise.
“She was made patron of U3A for her long and faithful service to U3A and continuing support for the committee and members.
“Marcia was still attending the Italian course at U3A until very recently.”
Alliance Français president Diane Boland said members of the French group paid tribute to Mrs Higgs, their founding president, at her funeral on Friday, October 17.
“Marcia was a very well respected teacher who was a driving force behind the establishment of and the ongoing success of our Alliance Française,” Mrs Boland said.
“She had a classroom in her own home where she taught French for our Alliance.
“Marcia also taught French as part of the U3A programme and always encouraged us to improve.
“She will be very much missed by all her knew her.”