Ann Elizabeth Higgins

Ann Higgins (born in 1952) left this world on July 18, 2023, to reunite with her beloved identical
twin sister and soulmate Kate who died in 2017. Ann was always a competitor, always a fighter,
always a daredevil and often a rebel. In college, she swam 35 miles in open water, just on a
dare. Her most joyful moments were during competitive road bike races, triathlons, and most
anything that tested her physical skills. Her teammates named her the "Mighty Midget". During
her careers as a medical sales rep, rehabilitation specialist, landscaper, swim teacher, and lab
instructor, that competitive streak served her well. In her younger years, she was an anti-war
activist, a champion for the underdog, a good neighbor, and an ardent volunteer at Children's
Hospital in Seattle. She was always ready to best her rivals, to challenge herself, her
colleagues and her students, to be the top in whatever they did. And she loved shoes,
especially cowboy boots.
Ann grew up in St. Louis, lived her happiest years when she was an elite athlete, both in St.
Louis and Seattle. She and Kate moved to Fort Collins in 2012 to be closer to their sister Jane
as their health declined. While in Fort Collins, Ann loved to garden, meet with her neighbors, be
with her dogs, and cook, especially with Kate. The past several years have been fraught with
physical and emotional pain. But she stayed defiantly independent to the end. Now Ann has
moved on to a place where she can run, swim, laugh and revel again.
Ann leaves behind her sister Jane and brother in law Dan in Fort Collins, brother Matthew in
Oregon, sister in law Carol in St. Louis, nieces and nephews, dear friends Maria and family,
Leif, Russell, Jane, and the Matonis clan, guides Craig and Lyn, and supportive friends and
neighbors. The family is deeply grateful to the staff at Centre Avenue Health & Rehab; they
treated her with such kindness and respect. Best of all, they appreciated her spunk.
Ann's ashes will be scattered in a place special to her, Puget Sound, where they will swirl and
join those of Kate. Donations to your favorite organization that supports the underdog are
welcome.