SIDNEY – Marie Alma Higgins Graves, 98 passed away peacefully in her home on Nov. 3, 2021. She was born the daughter of the late Leon A. and Mildred M. (Bragdon) Higgins on August 21, 1923 in Pittsfield.

She graduated from Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield then entered nurses training at Augusta General Hospital where she got her RN degree. She became a nurse cadet and thought she would have to serve during the war but the war ended while she was on her honeymoon with her husband of almost 60 years, Donald, who passed away in 2004.

Marie was a nurse at Thayer Hospital for 35 years. She worked in the maternity, pediatrics, and special procedure departments. During the earlier years while working at Thayer she helped at a clinic that was started by the Farm Bureau Exchange with another nurse and a volunteer doctor for the children of Sidney who couldn’t afford medical treatment. Marie was the town nurse for a while and neighbors would often call her for medical advice. She loved nursing so much that after three months of retiring from Thayer she went to work for the doctors’ offices of Burke and Smith.

Marie was a member of the Augusta Church of the Nazarene. She taught Sunday School, was on the church board, and she lead the young people’s group for a number of years. Marie had a strong faith in God and she looked forward to her weekly Bible study with her dear friend Gloria.

Marie loved to sew in fact she was part of a neighborhood group who made quilts for aids babies. She had what she liked to call her card ministry. She was very faithful to send birthday, anniversary, get well and thinking of you cards whenever she heard of someone who might need one.

She is survived by her son, Gerald Graves and his wife Darlene of Sidney, her daughters Janie Graves of Quincy, Mass., and Cynthia Barna of Sidney; her grandchildren Charles Christianson and his wife Sue, Nathan Christianson and his wife Karen, Juliet Graves and Tyler Kerr and his wife Darcy.

She was predeceased by her granddaughter, Gwendolyn Christianson. She had several great-grandchildren, Shelby Lyn and Victoria Christianson, and Emmalee and Bruce Kerr. She also had several nieces and nephews.

She was one of seven children. She is survived by her sister, Maxine Ayers of Sidney.

She was predeceased by her three brothers, Alton, Roland, and Robert Higgins and by two sisters, Jeanette Walker Fitton and Phyllis Higgins.

The family would like to thank the doctors who took care of her — Dr. Jack Burke, Dr. David Preston and especially Dr. Clifton Smith who was so faithful to call her weekly during her last few months. We would also like to thank the hospice health care workers especially Debbie and the nurses, especially Kelly and Linda who was not only her nurse but became her friend and Marie called her the best medicine ever.

There will be a private service held for family. Arrangements are in the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME 04330. Condolences, stories, and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries at the

Augusta Church of the Nazarene,

30 Nazarene Dr.,

Augusta, ME 04330.

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