Joan M. Higgins, 78, of Haddam, formerly of Manchester the beloved wife of the late Judge James M. Higgins died Friday (January 1, 2010) at Hartford Hospital. Active with senior's affairs in Haddam Joan was a manager of the Haddam Senior Center and their Meals-On-Wheels program. She is survived by her children, James M. Higgins Jr. and his wife Jennie of Talcottville, John M. Higgins and his wife Quechi of Manchester, and Lisa H. Dyer and her husband Bryan of Ashburn, VA; her grandchildren James H., Meggie M., Brady M. and Bailey M.H. Higgins, Jonathan M., Mark A., and Tara Q. Higgins, Sarah A. Higgins, and Samantha J. and Alyssa J. Dyer, and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband she was predeceased by her son Timothy M. Higgins, and her brother Philip Roberts and sister-in-law Althea Roberts. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday (January 5th) at 9:15 am from the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center Street Manchester with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10 am at St. James Church 896 Main Street Manchester, followed by burial in St. James Cemetery, Manchester. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 4-7 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Haddam Senior Center 923 Saybrook Road Haddam, CT 06438.