Cara Higgins

Key West lost one of its brightest lights with the passing of Cara Higgins, who passed away peacefully in her home on September 20, 2025. Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1974, she is survived by her children, Thomas Horvath and Emily Horvath; her mother, Eileen Higgins; her father, Thomas Higgins; and her sister, Amy Higgins, life partner Jim Reynolds.

Cara received her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from West Virginia University in 1995, where she was honored as a University Honors Scholar and named Outstanding Freshman of the Year in 1993. She went on to earn her law degree from Villanova School of Law in 1998.

After law school, she served as a judicial law clerk in the Family Division of the Superior Court in Trenton, New Jersey. During her clerkship, Cara was certified by the State of New Jersey in Civil Mediation and Conciliation Skills by the Administrative Office of the Courts and went on to serve as a mediator in both civil and matrimonial cases.

In 1999, Cara joined the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in Trenton, where she successfully tried numerous criminal felony cases, including narcotics, rape, and attempted murder. She was later named Coordinator of the Mercer County Drug Court Program and, in 2002, was honored by her office as Distinguished Assistant Prosecutor of the Year.

A weekend trip to Key West soon changed the course of her life. Captivated by the island’s rare natural beauty and relaxed way of life, Cara decided to make it her home. What began as a visit became a new chapter, where she built both a career and a community that she cherished.

For more than two decades, Cara poured her talents and energy into the island she loved. She served on the boards of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce, and was active with the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club and the Military Affairs Committee. A respected attorney, she was also known for her sharp humor, boundless energy, and ability to bring people together.

Her leadership and service earned her recognition, including the prestigious Athena International Award in 2018 and the William “Billy” Applerouth Award in 2017. But Cara was most proud of being a mother. Her children were the center of her world, and she cherished every moment with her family and loved ones.

Cara had a passion for cooking, a love of karaoke she called “Cara-oke,” and an open-door policy during Philadelphia Eagles games, when Sundays at her house became a tradition for friends and family.

In a community full of big personalities, Cara stood tall — not because she was the loudest, but because she listened, cared, and always showed up. She didn’t just believe in service; she lived it. Key West is better because she was here.

She will be remembered as a devoted mother, daughter, sister and friend — someone whose presence made a lasting difference. Cara leaves behind her family, a partner, numerous friends, colleagues, and an island community that will not soon forget her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to a charity of your choice, the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club of Key West, or the Key West Military Affairs Committee (MAC).