Roberta MacRae Higginbottom

Roberta MacRae Higginbottom died at her home in Easton on Thursday, August 24, 2006. She was 87. Born December 16, 1918 in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Eva Milne MacRae. She graduated with honors from Hunter High School in New York. Encouraged by her English teacher, she applied to Smith College in NorthHampton, MA and was admitted on scholarship. While a student at Smith College she was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and graduated with honors in 1939. She then took a position at Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA where in 1941 she earned her masters degree in Zoology. On June 7, 1941 she married Arthur R. Higginbottom in Peterborough, N.H. The Higginbottoms moved to Tunis Mills, MD in 1950 and became members of All Faith Chapel where during the 100 year celebration of the chapel she edited “The Miles River Parish 100th Anniversary” book. Always involved in the activities of the church, she served for one term as President of the E.C.W. For nineteen years, Mrs. Higginbottom taught Biology at Easton High School where she helped to organize the J. Willard Davis Chapter of the National Honor Society. She was a charter member of the St. Andrews Society of the Eastern Shore where she served as the first female President of the organization. While a member of Christ Church in Easton, she helped organize its first Kindergarten School and along with her husband, published the Church Scroll, a monthly church newsletter. Mrs. Higginbottom was a wonderful wife and mother who encouraged her husband in his career as an educator, and stimulated her children to achieve their goals. Her children knew she loved them and they knew she was their guide, friend and mother whose love and tender care would always be a great part of their lives. In addition to her husband of 65 years, Mrs. Higginbottom is survived by four children, Pamela Lee Carey and her husband Hugh of Towson, MD, Dr. Philip A. Higginbottom and his wife Terry of Leucadia, CA, Dr. Mark A. Higginbottom and his wife Rhonda of Easton, and Claudia Parsons and her husband Richard of West Chester, PA; nine grandchildren, Kristin Schulze, Lindsey Bean, Bradley Carey, Heidi Higginbottom, Dr. Ryan Higginbottom, Dr. Erik Higginbottom, Kyle Higginbottom, Andrew Parsons, and Lisa Parsons; and one nephew, Robert Heins of Melbourne Beach, FL. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 3:00 PM at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Easton. Friends may call on Monday, August 28, 2006 from 7 to 9 PM at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, MD. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Arthur R. Higginbottom Organ Fund, c/o All Faith Chapel, 26281 Tunis Mills Rd Easton, MD.