Farmington Obituary: Helen Miggins, 94

Helen M. (Murphy) Miggins of Farmington, beloved wife of the late John J. Miggins, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 11, 2016, surrounded by her children and caregivers.

Born in Hartford to the late Thomas and Catherine (Powell) Murphy, she was raised in East Hartford and graduated from East Hartford High School in 1939. After high school Helen began a career as an executive assistant with Hartford Electric Light Co. Helen met John on a blind date. Her quiet beauty and goodness was easy to see. John said when he saw her for the first time he knew he would marry her—and they did in 1949. They began their life together in New York City, and spent the next 61 years co-creating it as they moved to Washington D.C., then Dumont, New Jersey, to Windsor and Trumbull CT, and settling in Farmington in 1987.

Love and respect of family threaded throughout Helen's life. This love was rooted in a Christian faith nurtured by her mother and father, sisters and brothers: The Murphy's of East Hartford. Helen nurtured that same love in the family she created with John. She supported her children in their chosen endeavors, from education to sports to music. She cherished her grandchildren, babysitting them as often as she could, and reveled in family celebrations. Later in life Helen loved to watch her favorite movies, "Moonstruck" and "The Parent Trap", because of the love of family reflected in them.

While raising her children and afterwards, Helen returned to work as an executive assistant with St. Joseph College and Croll Reynolds Co. Helen loved to travel and her journeys with John took her to Ireland, Italy, and Canada and destinations spanning the United States from Maine to California, and from Foxwoods to Clinton Crossing. She loved helping others, volunteering at the St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary, the former Mercy Knoll, and the St. Agnes Guild for many years.

She is survived by her three sons John B. "Jay" Miggins of Milford, Terrance M. Miggins and his wife Debbie of East Windsor, and Brendan T. Miggins of Farmington; daughter Janis E. Vignati and her husband Frank Vignati, Jr. of East Hartford; and her adored grandchildren Claire Hozinsky and her husband Greg, Jack and Lauren Miggins, and Brian and Allison Vignati; a brother-in-law, sisters-in law, and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends throughout the United States and Ireland. Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her siblings Cecelia Mulligan, Frank Murphy, Elizabeth Scully, Thomas Murphy, Catherine Glasson, and Mary Bowie, and other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nephews, a niece and a grand nephew.

Helen's family would like to thank her wonderful caregivers for their attention and compassion, especially Tammy, Margaret, Carolann and Kathy.

Helen's family will receive friends on Sunday, May 15, 2016 from 3-6 pm at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon. Family and friends are invited to gather Monday, May 16, 2016, 9 am at Carmon's in Avon followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at St. Patrick- St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, East Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Masonicare Hospice, PO Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492.

For directions or condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.