Cherishing the amazing women right under our noses

I’m always on the prowl for inspiring and interesting seniors, and while there’s been no shortage the last couple of years, sometimes, as they say, what you’re looking for is right under your nose.

So is the case with my mother, Margie Higgins. At 76, she still works full time and gives just about everyone she knows a run for their money.

Margie grew up in Trenton, the eldest of seven children. Her start in life was not easy. She was diagnosed with polio two days after her first birthday. But thanks to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children in Springfield, Mass., three surgeries by age 12, and her perseverance, Margie learned to walk and has led a normal life.

Well, normal might be a stretch.

Margie was 10 years into her marriage before finally having a baby. She was widowed three years later. A second marriage ended in divorce.

Always career-minded with an admirable work ethic, Margie had her first job at the Rainbow Roller Rink in Trenton. She was 11 years old and earned 50 cents for a five-hour shift as the coat-check girl.

She has a “can do” attitude that has served her, and others, well. The devastating forest fire in 1947, which engulfed Bar Harbor and much of eastern Mount Desert Island in flames, was not about to burn without her. Margie recalls that time with sad nostalgia.

“I refused to evacuate, but rather stayed at the fire house and served coffee and food to the weary firefighters,” she said. “I’ll never forget the heavy smoke, high temperatures and high winds. From upstairs at the firehouse, you could see buildings burning. I still have the pass issued to me by the chief of police to go back and forth to the island.”

Margie’s love of the legal profession tightened its grip when a friend introduced her to the world of court stenography. Her interest in that business grew and in 1968 she formed her own court reporting company, working in both state and federal courts.

A touch of wanderlust took her to the West Coast, where she continued her career in the legal field. As is true for most people who leave Maine, she returned about a decade later.

After working for several attorneys over the years, Margie landed at the Curtis and Miller Law Firm in Orono in 2002.

“I was very fortunate to be hired, at age 75 and using a walker, by Ted Curtis,” she said. “He hired me on my ability instead of rejecting me for my disability. He and David [Miller] are just wonderful.”

When Margie is asked about retiring, the reply is always, “Why would I want to do that? I’m not old enough to retire.”

Ted Curtis is happy to hear that.

“She’s a wonderful inspiration for all of us,” said Curtis. “She’s always cheerful and the clients love her. It is not uncommon for them to bypass the attorneys and want to talk to Margie. She has enthusiasm, knowledge and perseverance. She’s sort of the grandmother to the office.”

I’m not surprised. My mother and I live near each other, which initiates comments from people such as, “How nice that you can look after her.” Truth be told, we’re about equal in the “looking after” department. She’s always at the ready if I need something.

Margie has a unique love of grocery shopping (which I did not inherit) and is constantly asking if I “want anything at the store.” Regardless of my answer, she’s off, armed with a fist full of coupons, which always end up saving her a surprising amount of money.

She’s raised coupon shopping to an art form – as she has done with everything else in her life.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

Carol Higgins is communications director at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, or log on www.eaaa.org.