Edna Sheya Higgins

Eddie Higgins, 96, of La Grande, died January 18th, in the family home she shared with her daughter and son-in-law and their three children. A memorial celebration of her life will take place at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 22nd, at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, with James G. Hannan leading the prayer service.

Edna was born March 9, 1914, in Helper, Utah--the sixth of nine children of Nejab (James) Sheya, and Ermez Farrah Sheya. Edna's father followed the trail of many Lebanese immigrants in the late 1800s, who moved from Ellis Island, through New York, and then into the south, stopping and creating small business enterprises along the way. Settling in Helper, Utah, James Sheya established the local saloon, general goods store, as well as a sprawling peach farm and horse ranch.

After losses suffered during the depression, Edna's father liquidated his rural assets and moved the family into a large house in Salt Lake City, where Edna graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School.

While visiting her sister in 1951 in Spokane, Washington, Edna Sheya met James Joseph Higgins--a World War II veteran, and prize-winning waltzer--at a dance club. They married in 1952, settled in La Grande, and had their first daughter a year later, followed by two more girls in close succession. James and Edna moved into their dream-home at 1710 Adams Avenue (now Cathy Gregerson's Alma Jane's Antiques), their family residence from 1954 to 2009.

Eddie Higgins had many passions: reading, cooking, dancing, golfing, and travelling. She was an active member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and the La Grande Country Club. Above all, Eddie was a generous, compassionate, and open-minded mentor to her daughters and to their friends: young hearts and minds, who were struggling to find a true path through middle-school, high school, college, love, marriage, and beyond. Her life exemplified and confirmed the inherent value of intimacy and honesty: a selfless investment in family, friendship, church and community, and the bountiful gifts which are their harvest.

Edna Sheya Higgins was preceded in death by her husband, James J. Higgins in 1982; two brothers, Charles and James Sheya; and five sisters, Cecelia, Julia, Isabel, Bertha, and Ruth. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Higgins Hannan and her son-in-law, James G. Hannan of La Grande; her daughter, Sheila Higgins Sands and her son-in-law, Rodney T. Sands of La Grande; her daughter, Colleen Higgins, of Joseph; her sister Roseline Sheya of Salt Lake City; many nieces and nephews; and five grandchildren: Giovanna, Katherine, Jimmy, Sheylan, and Tobe.

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