Jane Emma Nelson Huggins, 90, of 13 Glendale Middle Road, Stockbridge, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 6th with her son and daughter at her side. Jane was born on February 8, 1925 in Pittsfield, MA, the daughter of the late Axel Nelson and Emma Rawling Nelson. She graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1942. During her youth she was very active in the Emmanuel Community Chapel as a Sunday School Teacher and a Choir Soloist. Prior to her marriage she was a department manager at W.T. Grants and then a payroll supervisor at G.E. in Pittsfield. On June 1, 1946, she married Samuel Joseph Huggins Jr. at the Emmanuel Community Chapel in West Pittsfield. They celebrated 42 eventful and happy years together. They settled in South Lee and in 1970 built their dream home on Sam's family property in the Glendale section of Stockbridge. Mr. Huggins predeceased her on July 18, 1988. After raising her children, she became a New England Telephone Operator in 1962 and in 1963 she began a 21 year career with the U.S. Postal Service as a Postal Clerk in South Lee and eventually as a Postmaster Relief throughout Southern Berkshire County. She was an avid bowler and golfer, belonging to the Lee and Cove Bowling Lanes as well as Greenock and Stockbridge Country Clubs. She believed in giving back to her community and along with her husband was a founding member of the South Lee Civic Association. After retirement she was a member of the Stockbridge Council on Aging and was a long time and current member of the Glendale Fire Department Women's Auxiliary and past president. Jane is survived by her daughter and care giver Holly Huggins Rhind and her son Michael Nelson Huggins Sr. and his wife, Mary. She leaves behind her grandsons Michael Nelson Huggins Jr. (Colleen), Daniel Christopher Huggins (Jenna) and her granddaughter Michelle Margaret Huggins (Michael), five step grandchildren and the great love of her life, her great grandson Michael Nelson Huggins the third with whom she spent many cherished hours. She was the last member of the Nelson / Huggins generation but is celebrated by her numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brothers; Emil, Claude and John Nelson, stepbrother; William Gritman, sisters Clara Hinkley and Julia Merrell and her son in law John H. Rhind. A Funeral Service for Jane Huggins will be held on Tuesday, May 12th at 11:00 AM at the Stockbridge Congregational Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Stockbridge. Visiting hours will be on Monday evening from 5-7 PM at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee. Friends wishing may make donations in her memory to the Berkshire Medical Center for the Samuel J. Huggins Vascular Research Fund in c/o the Kelly Funeral Home 3 Main Street Lee, MA 01238.

Visitation Details

Monday, May 11th, 2015 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Kelly Funeral Home

Service Details

Tuesday, May 12th, 2015 11:00am, First Congregational Church of Stockbridge

Interment Details

St. Joseph's Cemetery in Stockbridge