Ethel Huggett
August 4, 1925 - March 16, 2017

Ethel "Caroline" Huggett, age 91, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away on March 16, 2017 at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge. She was born on August 4, 1925 in Cadiz, Ohio, the daughter of James R. Furbay and Ethel M. Walker. As the daughter of a Quaker minister, the family moved to various congregations in Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa. She graduated with a bachelor of music from Grinnell College, Iowa, and completed a master of music education at Indiana University. Caroline taught school music in Michigan and Indiana before raising her four children with husband Richard W. Huggett, Jr. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and taught private piano lessons in Baton Rouge and Madison after her children were grown. In her later years she resided in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and Ft. Worth, Texas before moving to Oakwood Village University Woods and finally Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge in Madison.

Music was a guiding force in Caroline's life. She was an accomplished pianist and also had talents for singing, drawing, sewing, and knitting. In her later years she had an enthusiasm for politics and college basketball in addition to her continued passion for classical music. Caroline played piano for her fellow residents at Oakwood Village and was noted for "swinging" the hymns.

She is survived by her children Laurie Huggett (partner Steve Kelly) of Stoughton, Wisconsin, James Huggett (Kathryn) of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Heather Huggett (Paul Schultz) of Port Washington, Wisconsin and Ariana Huggett (Christopher Niver) of Milwaukee. Grandchildren include William Goss, Cate Goss (partner Justice Roe), Karyn Kingrey (Brian), Daniel Huggett (Danielle), and Laura Huggett. She is further survived by her youngest sister Cristine Fish of Tucson. She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger sister, Helen Furbay.

She will be remembered for her warmth and friendliness, being affectionately named the "International Ambassador of Goodwill" by her family.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 8th at 2 pm at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge Tree of Life Chapel, 5565 Tancho Drive, Madison, with visitation at 1 pm. Caroline and her sister Helen will be buried at a later date near their parents in the Fairfield Friends Meeting Cemetery, Camby, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oakwood Continuing Care Endowment Fund (oakwoodfoundationinc.org or 608-230-4285) or Wisconsin Public Radio (wpr.org).

Cress Funeral Home
1310 Emerald Terrace Sun Prairie, WI 53590
608-837-9054

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