The bridge world of Minnesota lost a very special member early Thursday morning. Nancy Shifflet Higdem finally succumbed to pancreatic cancer after a long and valiant fight.
If you play bridge in our state, the odds are that you were then touched by Nancy's handiwork. It was my pleasure to serve on Unit 178's board concurrent with Nancy's tenure. You name the positive adjective; it fit Nancy. Hardworking, energetic, creative, organized, inspiring, no-nonsense, yet full-of-humor - all were true of Nancy. Fortunately for us, Nancy ran many a tournament and bridge event. If something had Nancy's mark on it, you knew it would be done well.
Competing at the bridge table, Nancy could hold her own. Many times she would face top experts, and it would be the experts who came away with regret, not Nancy! With her bright smile, sparkly eyes and sequined cap to match, Nancy always added to any bridge venture.
Even away from Minnesota, Nancy spread good will and learning with our game. With her husband, popular bridge instructor and director Dennis Higdem, she sailed the seas and paid forward her love of the game to so many others.
No one expected Nancy to be able to keep up her fight as long as she did. But when it came to her illness, as with everything else in her life, Nancy gave that battle as much as she had - and then some.
We will miss her.
Addendum: A large gathering of family, friends, co-workers and (of course) bridge players celebrated Nancy's life Saturday afternoon. One of Nancy's grandchildren, Jade, created a marvelous slide show with dozens of photographs. Each photograph told a tale about Nancy.
During the service, representatives from family, friends, co-workers and bridge players remembered Nancy with tears and laughter. From the bridge world, Kathy Beckman and Sharon Anderson told stories about their friend.
Sharon told us the "Top Ten Reasons I'll Miss Having Nancy on Our Team."
Sharon, thanks. And - we all will miss Nancy.
Please see below.
Top Ten Reasons I'll Miss Having Nancy on Our Team
10. She made the world's best French toast (of course, with Valerie's recipe)
9. She had a positive can-do attitude with unlimited amounts of determination
8. She knew how to have fun working hard.
7. She paid attention to the "little people" - a real servant leader
6. She was reliable and could manage a million details
5. She shared my love of the game and knew how to tap the talents of new players to the game
4. She had a heart of gold and a golden touch
3. She believed in me and made me feel like a million bucks
2. She didn't waste time judging others - not even Dennis and his ideas about bidding
1. Who wouldn't want a team leader with sequined hats?!
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