By KATH GANNAWAY
KATHY Higgins’ death from an aneurism at just 40-years of age, on 30 October, was devastating.
But, she would have no regrets.
She had packed more than many people who live twice that long into her time here – which included being life-long partner to Anthony Randall and mum to Aaron and Chloe.
Characterised by her cheeky smile, steely determination, her forthright attitude and sheer love and enjoyment of life, Kathy’s connection with her family and friends was celebrated at a service attended by more than 400 people on 5 November.
Among the tears and grief at such a sudden loss, were heart-warming tributes and funny stories of life with Kathy.
Kathleen Jane Higgins was born on 1 April, 1975, at Healesville Hospital, the youngest of Bill and Vicky Higgins four children, Kim, Tracey, Michael (deceased) and Kathy.
Growing up in Badger Creek she was involved in pony club, netball and basketball.
Here she lived for speedway. Driving around the family’s track put her way ahead of the game when at 11 she convinced the organisers at Alexandra Speedway that they should let her drive.
The official minimum age was 12, but she got on the track and never looked back.
It was a passion she shared with her parents, sister Tracey and with Anthony.
She raced up until a couple of years ago and won her fair share of Victorian championships and other titles over the years.
Kathy was secretary for the Super Sedan Association for a time and on Saturday the association will honour her with a memorial race at Moama.
Kathy went to Badger Creek Primary School, then to Billanook and Lilydale Technical School.
She became a mum at 17, and she would have been enormously proud of the brave, funny tribute Aaron paid her at the service.
Kathy met Anthony 21 years ago and with the birth of Chloe, now 16, the family was complete.
Even more complete with the family staffies, Bill and Bangers, which Kathy adored.
If life hadn’t been so busy, Anthony said they would probably have got married some day.
They got engaged about 20 years ago, but were just too busy living life on the Don Valley property that was home, to get around to setting a date.
One of the funny stories that Aaron told was of Kathy’s relatively new passion – prospecting.
He told of coming home to find holes all over the back yard, or his mum down in the creek in her waders convinced that that big, so far elusive, nugget was just waiting to be dug up or scooped up.
A devoted mum, Kathy wore the title of ‘mum’s taxi’ with as much pride as any of her super sedan titles.
She trained the juniors when Aaron and Chloe were playing netball and basketball and umpired the netball with the YVMDFNA.
She loved Facebook, which she used to maximum effect last year, she organised a reunion of her generation (and anyone who wanted to be part of the party).
She was a clever and diligent worker, doing taxation returns, managing the BP Service Station in Healesville for a couple of years and then establishing her own fish and chip shop in Launching Place.
She was studying in recent times to become an accountant.
Anthony laughed when asked to describe Kathy’s personality.
“Well, she was very strong willed, you would have to give her that,” he said.
“She said it how it was.
“I suppose, she just loved life … mainly loved doing her own thing, especially with us.”
Kathy was laid to rest at Healesville Cemetery, reunited with Michael who she adored.
