05/13/2015

Obituary for Christine J. (Stiles) Biggins

Wife of NFDA Past President Robert J. Biggins

Christine J. (Stiles) Biggins, 57, of Hanson entered into Eternal Rest at her home on May 12, 2015 surrounded by her family and cared for by the Hospice of the South Shore. She was born in Worcester daughter of the late Walter J. and Corinne D. (Meola) Stiles, Sr.

Chris was a graduate of Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester with the Class of 1975 and later attended Leo's Beauty Institute in Worcester. She was a licensed hairdresser and had worked for the John Dellaria Studios and provided hairdressing services to several funeral homes in the Worcester area.

In 1986 she moved to Hanson where she raised her family and was integral in the acquisition of the Magoun Funeral Home in Rockland with her husband. She has served as Vice-President of the firm since 1998. She travelled extensively serving as "First Lady" of the National Funeral Directors Association, where her warmth and spirit endeared all those that she came in contact with.

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004, she met the neurological challenges of that disease with fervor and resolve. On Good Friday of 2007, after a routine mammogram, she was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer. This life changing news began a journey for her to fight every day to move toward healing.

After a mastectomy and chemotherapy treatments that drained her physically, she decided to begin a healing journey through the practice of Yoga. She took lessons at Open Doors Power Yoga Studios and made the decision to be trained as an instructor. Under the direction of Richard Lanza and Shawn Cornelison, owners of the studios, she began a rigorous training regimen for nearly a year to become a teacher.

She continued her training studying with Rolf Gates for over 1000 hours while under treatment for a reoccurrence of her cancer. Chris began blogging on her website, www.christinebiggins.com to share her courage and inspiration while she dealt with a myriad of emotions and setbacks.

In May of 2014, after the third occurrence of her cancer which now had progressed to Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer, she was surprised an honored to be recognized through the "Rockland Friends" in a breast cancer awareness campaign which provided pink bracelets with #chrisbigginsstrong imprinted on them. Nearly 5000 bracelets have been circulated and photographed by her supporters at locations all over the world. These photos, posted to Facebook, had lifted her spirits and inspired her to remain strong.

Chris is survived by her husband of 37 years, Robert J. Biggins. She was the loving mother of Daniel J. Biggins and his wife Danielle of Rockland, Erin K. Russo and her husband Michael of Loganville, Georgia, Andrew J. Biggins of Hanson, and her late infant son, Robert J. Biggins, Jr. She was quite proud of her title of "Nana" to her five grandsons, Gavan D. Biggins, Logan W. Russo, Ronan D. Biggins, Landon R. Russo and Shea D. Biggins.

One of ten children, she is survived by her sisters, Cheryl Bleau of New Hampshire, Maryann LaFrance of North Adams, Doreen Lebel of Webster, Debra Maguire of Webster and Jacqueline French of Vermont, her brothers, Walter J. Stiles, Jr. of Georgia, Kevin Stiles of Holden, Philip Stiles of Leicester, and Dennis Stiles of Georgia. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. The Biggins family invites friends and loved ones to celebrate her life on Sunday, May 17, 2015, at the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home, 135 Union Street, Rockland, Massachusetts, from 5:00–8:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 18, 2015, in Holy Family Church in Rockland at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Holy Family Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Christine Biggins Courage Scholarship, c/o Rockland Trust Co., 288 Union St., Rockland MA 02370.

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