South Hadley, MA – Judi Higgins, 78, of South Hadley, passed away on June 17, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. She was born to the late Rene and Edna Mae (Arnold) Beaudoin, grew up in South Hadley, and graduated from South Hadley High in 1965. She went on to earn her RN from the Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Holyoke. Judi had a stellar career that began at the Providence Hospital and concluded at the Baystate Medical Center, 42 years later. She spent most of those years in the demanding work of the operating room and its management. Ultimately, her dedication came at a physical price, as bilateral hip, knee, and shoulder surgeries hastened her retirement. Judi's personal life was highlighted by two wonderful marriages. In 1972, she married Ronnie Therrien, and the happy couple settled in South Hadley. A few years later, they adopted their infant daughters, Jill and Jami, from South Korea. In 1992, that idyllic home life was shattered when Ronnie passed away unexpectedly while returning from the couple's 20th anniversary trip to Maine. A few years later, Judi met Brud Higgins through mutual friends, beginning more than three decades of happiness together. Following an eleven year courtship – during which Judi's daughters and Brud's daughter, Tara, launched their adult lives, went to college and graduate school, and began their careers – the couple married in 2005. Judi and Brud visited most of the United States, from Hawaii to Maine, the Caribbean, the Canadian Maritimes, and multiple stops in Europe, often in the company of family members or close friends. Regardless of the itinerary for a particular year, they always prioritized an annual autumn trip to their favorite resort villa in San Diego, which they considered their home away from home. When Judi's health issues began to make travel difficult, she and Brud settled into life at home in South Hadley. Judi was always a voracious reader, and she wore out several Kindles, reading more than 100 novels a year. On any given day, she could be found immersed in a book with her beloved cat, Pommy, nearby. Judi also kept in close contact with old friends dating back to high school, nursing school, and beyond. Nothing piqued her interest more than hearing about the academic, athletic, and artistic achievements of her three grandchildren, who lovingly called her G-ma. Her love for them knew no bounds. Judi was predeceased by her parents, her loving step-mother Ellen Beaudoin, her first husband Ronnie Therrien, and her brother Stephen Beaudoin. She will be forever missed by her husband, Brud; her daughters, Jill of Springfield, Jami Therrien Wells and husband Ben Wells of Lexington, MA, and Tara and husband Brian Morrissey of La Jolla, CA; her grandchildren, Torsten, Leah, and Ella; her sisters Sue Aldridge of Chicopee and Renee Venne of South Hadley; her sister-in-laws Cathy Higgins and Linda Wolf, both of South Hadley; many nieces and nephews; and a host of wonderful friends. Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home is in charge of the final arrangements. There will be a private burial at the Evergreen Cemetery in South Hadley. A celebration of Judi's life will be held in the near future.
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Judith A. "Judi" Higgins