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Higgins Jack McCulloch, 9 months, passed away on Dec. 6, 2023 at Seattle Children's Hospital. Higgins was born on Mar. 3, 2023 and leaves a huge impact from his amazing little life.

Higgins was born with a chromosomal condition called Trisomy 18, also known as Edward's Syndrome, in which there is an extra 18th chromosome. It is considered a rare trisomy, affecting approximately one in 7,000 live births. It is considered a life-limiting diagnosis. Only 20-40% of babies survive their first month and fewer than 10% survive their first year. Yet Higgins' story is one of hope.

Higgins defied the odds again and again and was the happiest, sweetest baby. He loved listening to stories, sitting up in his chair, tub baths, music, and visits from his friends and family. Higgins had a whole team of primary nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Seattle Children's who just adored him. He loved making friends and had his little ways of getting people into the room to meet him. Higgins moved to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit when he was almost 7 months old and made new friends there. I couldn't imagine a baby who was better cared for and loved than Higgins. One of his greatest achievements was showing the doctors and nurses all that is possible for a baby with a life-limiting diagnosis-babies like Higgins can have joyful and quality lives. We heard again and again how much Higgins has taught his nurses and doctors and how they will be forever changed by caring for Higgins.

Higgins is survived by parents David and Amber McCulloch; sisters Emily McCulloch, Bailey Farthing, Eva McCulloch, and Matilda McCulloch; brother Aaron Farthing; grandparents Larry and Turine Higgins; Aunts Melany (Pancho) Navarrette, Valerie (Ryan) Thornburg, and Carly (Lange) Solberg.

A celebration of life service for Higgins will take place on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Bethany Community Church Green Lake in Seattle.

Higgins was laid to rest at the Lopez Union Cemetery, Lopez Island, WA. To offer your condolences to the McCulloch/Higgins family online, go to http://www.kernfuneralhome.com.

Local arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.