ELIZABETH A. “BETTY” HIGGINS, age 94 of Merrillville, IN formerly of Gary, IN passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026, surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents: John and Veronica Kopil; her brothers: John Kopil and Andrew Kopil; her sisters: Mary Zagrovich, Helen Gudinas, Dorothy Savitski, and Ann “Pookie” O’Connor; her daughters: Kathy Higgins-Townsend and Stacy Higgins-Gleason; son-in-law: Timothy Bonick. Betty was also preceded in death by her first husband Edward Dynakowski in 1958 and second husband Thomas F. Higgins in 2015.

Of Betty’s eight children she is survived by: Judy (Mike) Maretich, Nancy (Brad McClellan) Higgins, Tom (Carrie) Higgins, Tracy (fiancée John Engelman) Bonick, Tim (Cathy) Higgins, and Patrick (Karen Wilson) Higgins. She is also survived by son-in-law Bob Gleason. Betty’s grandchildren include: Amy (Casey) Lane, Mikey (Mackenize) Maretich, Katie (Anthony) Quintana, Tommy (Meghan) Higgins, Hayden (Olivia) Higgins, Morgan Bonick, Tim (Michelle) Higgins, Amber (Nick) Bridegroom, Erin (Michael) Donnelly, Colin Gleason, and Tatum Gleason. Betty’s great-grandchildren include: Abby, Cody, and Grady Lane; Michael Maretich; Vinny, Anthony Jr., Luca, and baby girl (due in October) Quintana; Tommy, Mia, and Holden Higgins; Hayden and Hudson Higgins; Raegan and Logan Higgins; Brynlee and Cora Bridegroom; and baby girl Donnelly (due in August).

Betty was born on December 27, 1931, in Gary, Indiana. She was one of seven children of John and Veronica Kopil. She attended Holy Trinity grade school in Gary and then Froebel High School, Class of 1949. She married Edward “Denny” Dynakowski in 1950 and had daughter Judy; Edward passed away on June 7, 1958. Betty was a top-tier administrative assistant at such employers as Taylor Forge, the State Employment Office, and the City of Gary as a Court Reporter. In the 1980’s and 1990’s she worked for Dr. Frederic D. Young and the Lake County Assessor’s Office.

The one job that forever changed Betty’s life was in the late 1950’s while she was the Executive Assistant at WWCA Radio 1270 AM. She met a dashing young radio personality named Tom Higgins. His Irish wit and charm won her over and they married in 1960. Some have surmised that Betty never saw her feet or knew if her shoes matched as she and Tom had six kids born in the ‘60’s! The last of the brood arrived in the next decade in the early ‘70’s. Being devout Catholics and grateful for their abundance, Betty and Tom were founding members of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and School. During the school-age years, her eight children attended school at Blessed Sacrament. For over a decade, Betty was a room mother, Girl Scout leader, and active in the PTA.

Wrangling eight children, Betty undertook the job of Domestic Engineer and Quartermaster as if it was second nature. Her ability to expertly handle all the supply chain issues of food, clothing, distribution, laundry, and repair for eight kids and a husband never faltered. Her attention to logistics, transportation, and “barracks management” — as Tom liked to call it — ensured that the Higgins kids were: 1). where they needed to be; 2). delivered when they needed to be; 3). in clean clothes; and 4). ready to go. Tom prided himself on Betty’s results and would often say, “The von Trapps have nothing on us!” Betty would get herself and eight kids fed, dressed, and loaded in the station wagon reaching their intended destination on time.

Betty’s aforementioned skills were so honed that one year, during the Little League Baseball’s Senior League World Series tournament in Gary, there was a problem with a team from Spain that arrived in town five days prior to the team’s housing at Lew Wallace High School being open. Betty said, “No problem!” Before the team even picked up their luggage at the airport, she had contacted two neighbors to have them host five players each; Betty housed and fed the other 12 players and coaches in her house, in addition to her own family. Due to her excellent hospitality, the coaching staff remained life-long friends with Betty and Tom.

Betty had numerous life-long friends and never met a stranger. Frequently in stores, she would see a family in line at the register with many small children. Betty, understanding the exact situation the other family was in would start her conversation by saying, “What a large, lovely family you have. What size are your children?” She would then make mental notes of the sizes and genders as the parents shared the information. The conversation ended with Betty obtaining their phone number. In a few days, she would call the family to get an address to surprise them with a delivery of clothes and toys she accumulated that her own children had outgrown.

Unbeknownst to Betty, it was her examples of charity, service above self, and stewardship of God’s blessings that her children learned and modeled. Her sacrifice of her own wants and needs for her family was never articulated over the years. When she saw these acts of generosity, benevolence, and love exhibited by her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren, she would thank God and take comfort knowing that she brought goodness and kindness into the world.

Betty’s house was never closed; some would question why the front door even had a lock, since someone was always entering or exiting at all hours of the day. Family, friends, and neighbors who entered were always assured of a meal or beverage, someone who would listen, someone who would provide sage advice, and someone who was loyal. All were welcomed with an occasional Cubs game on the TV and a jigsaw puzzle on the table. In this sanctuary hours flew by like minutes; laughter became unforgettable memories.

Betty’s love and devotion to God and family was unsurpassed. She maintained tight-knit relationships with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren while instilling the importance of a love for God and practicing a strong Catholic faith. She lauded their religious, academic, and athletic accomplishments. Her holiday celebrations, particularly Christmas and Easter, were remarkable; the grandchildren and great-grandchildren will forever have the fondest memories of those celebrations in her home.

Betty’s life can best be summed up from 2 Timothy 4:7, Apostle Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Friends and Family are welcome to visit from 4 – 8 PM on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (7535 Taft Street, Merrillville, In. 46410).  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 AM, on Wednesday, May 27 DIRECTLY at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, North Campus (formerly St. Andrew Parish, 801 West 73rd Avenue, Merrillville). Interment to follow at Calumet Park Cemetery.