Fall River community leader for decades and widow of former mayor passes away

OBITUARY

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Jean C. (Higgins) Bogan, 92 years of age, widow of former Mayor Daniel E. Bogan left us to join her beloved “Danny”, her soul mate, confident and best friend. Daughter of the late Robert Higgins and the late Annette (Marchessault) Higgins, Jean was a life-long resident of Fall River and extremely proud of that fact. She is survived by her children, Claire Erskine (husband Robert) of Santa Rosa, California, Sharon L. Quinn (husband Thomas M. Quinn III) of Fall River, Robert F. Bogan (wife Jennifer Giron Bogan) of Fall River, Daniel E. Bogan, Jr. of Fall River and Kathleen Butler (husband Brian) of Weymouth MA, as well as ten grandchildren Michael, Brian, Caroline, Bridget, Christy, Daniel, Sarah, Emily, Patrick and Brendan of whom she was very proud and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother Robert Higgins of Fall River and her sister Louise Harrington of Fall River. Jean was predeceased by her sister Claire Cantin.

A graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Class of 1952, Jean began her professional career working in the offices of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company as well as the J & J Corrugated Box Corporation.

Deeply committed to her community, she served on the boards of the League of Women Voters, the Fall River Boys & Girls Club, and the Charlton Auxiliary, where she proudly served as past president.

Jean was a fun-loving person, turning even the most mundane get together into a time to remember. She was a talented dancer and loved participating in her ladies bowling league in the basement of the Quequechan Club. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, she and Dan travelled the world from Alaska to New Orleans, Churchill Downs, Kentucky to attend the Derby, Florida, Russia, New Zealand and many stops in between including travelling on The Orient Express. Wishing to spend one New Years Eve in Vienna, she convinced Dan to take ballroom dance lessons so they could waltz the night away. Every holiday would see her decked out in appropriate garb, be it shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day, red, white and blue for the Fourth to holiday sweaters and Christmas light necklaces. She considered her friends her “extended” family and was generous with her time and resources. A lifelong movie buff, in her later years she would watch old films from her youth on the Turner Classic Movie channel.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Jewish Home of Fall River for the level of care, courtesy and compassion extended to Jean during her sojourn there.

Her Funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover St., Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 a place she and her husband supported with regular donations over the years. Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River.