Carolyn J. Higgins, 84, of Alden, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Born December 15, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Verna (Snyder) Boltz. Carolyn resided in Alden most of her life and was a graduate of Nanticoke High School. She continued her education in the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center’s Practical Nursing program, where she graduated in the top five of her class Carolyn was employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Birchwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Nanticoke, and most recently in the Memory Care unit at East Mountain Manor in Wilkes-Barre until her retirement in 2010. Early in life, she belonged to St. John’s Lutheran Church and for many years she was an active member of Newport United Methodist Church until its closing. Carolyn was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend. She greeted everyone whose path she crossed with a genuine smile, kind words and a warm hug. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Over the years, she attended countless sporting events to watch them play, cheering on each child on the team as if they were her own. Carolyn also enjoyed traveling, shopping and motorsports. She was an avid fan and loved attending local races to support her sons and grandsons. Carolyn brought happiness, joy, and endless amounts of love to so many in our community. The extraordinary beauty of her heart will be forever missed and never forgotten. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Francis (Frank) Higgins on September 15, 1990; a great-granddaughter, Samantha Marshallick and a brother, Henry Boltz. She will be deeply missed by her nine children, Karen Oltra (Robert) of Alden, Robert Higgins (Karen) of Sheatown, Charmaine Zwiebel (Jack) and Michael Higgins (Patrice) of Alden, Tammy Higgins of Mountain Top, Lonee Kreitzer (Steve) of Nanticoke, Donna Hauer (Fred) of Pond Hill, Aaron Higgins (Kim) of Nanticoke and Beth Maney of Newport Center; 16 grandchildren (Bob, Brandon, Lori, Kevin, Nicole, Joe, Kimberly, Brett, Kelly, Stephen, Stephanie, Eric, Emily, Jessica, Sara and Sy’raia) and 15 great-grandchildren (Luca, Maya, Jared, Karlie, Breaunna, Bradley, Gavin, Tyler, Garrett, Bryce, Dominic, Camille, O’lyvia, Jeffrey and Jaxon.) A private funeral service will be held from Davis-Dinelli Funeral Home, 170 E. Broad Street, Nanticoke with the Rev. Barbara Saxe, her former pastor, officiating. There will be no public calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Mrs. Higgins’ memory to the Medical Oncology Associates Prescription Assistance Fund, 382 Pierce St., Kingston, PA 18704