Barbara F. Higgins

POLAND - Barbara Frances Higgins, 91, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the Inn at Poland Way.

Born November 1, 1934, in Youngstown, she was raised on the city's South Side by her mother, Emma Scheetz Ockerman, alongside her older brother, William. Barbara credited her extended family for helping make possible her education at St. Patrick Elementary and Ursuline High School, where she graduated in 1952.

After attending Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where she studied speech and drama, Barbara returned home and began a career at WFMJ, writing radio and television commercials. Following her marriage to John “Jack” Higgins on April 12, 1958, she devoted herself to raising their four daughters. Later, she returned to Youngstown State University to complete her bachelor's degree and earn her funeral director's license. She worked alongside her husband as a licensed funeral director and served as Vice President of Higgins Funeral Home.

Barbara dedicated much of her life to volunteer service throughout the Youngstown area. She was active in Girl Scouts, St. Christine School, the Austintown Kiwaniqueens, the Athenaeum Club, Cardinal Mooney High School, the Youngstown Area Federated Women's Club, and the Ohio Federated Women's Club, serving in numerous leadership roles. She also devoted many years to supporting kidney patients through her work with the Eastern Regional Kidney Foundation and Western Reserve Care System.

Barbara enjoyed boating on all five of the great lakes on her family’s boat, "J.J.'s Harem." Many of Barbara’s happiest times were spent with her friends, children and grandchildren, boating and enjoying the most beautiful Catawba sunsets. Barbara had a passion for swimming. Her love for the water was matched only by her affinity for reading and word search puzzles.

Known to her grandchildren as “Barbara,” “Babs,” and ultimately “G-Babs,” she had a special gift for making each grandchild feel uniquely loved. In recent years, the grandchildren discovered that she would whisper separately in each of their ears that they were her favorite grandchild.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Billy Jack) Higgins, Susan (John) Flood, Katie Higgins, and Judy Reardon; grandchildren Michael (Ashley) Flood, Allison Flood, John (Melina) Reardon, Bailey Reardon, Terrance (Mackenzie) Reardon, Delaney (Quinn Walsh) Reardon, Benjamin (Abigail) Vickers, and Emma Vickers; 5 great-granddaughters, Harper Vickers, Kensley Reardon, Ryleigh Reardon, Addison Flood, and Elisavet Reardon; two great-grandson’s, Bobby Flood and Leo Reardon; and many extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jack, who passed away on May 28, 2012; her mother, Emma Ockerman; her brother, William “Bill” Ockerman; and her son-in-law, Terry Reardon.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, 2726 Center Rd. 

Prayers will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the funeral home, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Parish in Poland. Interment will follow at Poland Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ursuline Sisters, Fullness of Life, Future of Hope Campaign, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, OH 44406.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Inn at Poland Way, Buckeye Hospice and Sherry Nicholson for their loving care and support.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel. Family and friends are invited to visit www.higgins-reardon.com to share memories and condolences.