Bartlett High School teacher Terry Lee Higley, 51, died April 23, 1998, from cancer at her parents' home in Miltona, Minnesota.
A memorial service is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at Bartlett H.S. The family will have a private ceremony in Minnesota.
Ms. Higley was born June 29, 1946, in Alexandria, Minn. She moved to Alaska more than 30 years ago.
She received her bachelor's degree and teaching certificate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and was a Fulbright scholar to France, where she studied the use of children's literature in the classroom at the Universite de Besanqon. She received her master of arts in French from New York University and began her career teaching French at Arcturus Junior High School at Fort Richardson.
Ms. Higley came to Bartlett when it opened in 1973. She was instrumental in building an award-winning French program.
A fellow teacher said: "Terry was a creative and dynamic teacher who loved her subject and loved sharing with students. She regularly held classes and workshops for other language teachers to share her knowledge and ideas. She traveled extensively in France with her students, and frequently commented on the joy of seeing the things and places she loved again for the first time through their eyes.
"She loved puns and corny jokes, smiled and laughed frequently, and was a faithful and loyal friend."
Ms. Higley was named a British Petroleum Teacher of Excellence in the 1996-97 school year and was named Teacher of the Year by Alaskans for Language Acquisition in 1997.
She was an animal lover and enjoyed walks and berry picking. She collected antique dolls, designed and sewed clothes for them, played the piano, and enjoyed reading on various subjects. She was an avid basketball and figure skating fan.
Ms. Higley is survived by her parents, John and LaVonne Higley of Minnesota; brother, Jack Higley of Kenai; sisters, Linda Higley of Eagle River, Kathy Hall of Texas, and Becky Hobbs of Michigan; brothers-in-law, Ron Hall and Walt Hobbs; nieces, Kimberly Hall and Claire Hobbs; dog, Choky; cats, Pip, Mr. B.E., Gigi, and Truffles; and her many students and friends.
Her family asks that memorial donations be sent to the American Cancer Society, 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Anchorage 99503; or Friends of Pets, P.O. Box 240981, Anchorage 99524-0981. A memorial scholarship is being organized. Interested donors can contact Bartlett for details. [Or check this page at a later time.]