Catherine Higbee Beardsley

Catherine Higbee Beardsley, 84, of Hillsborough CA, passed away on March 8, 2023.
Cathy was born on March 8, 1939 to Geneva and Lincoln Higbee in San Jose CA. After Cathy graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1957, she went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree from UC Berkeley where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta.
She was married for 63 years to Duncan Beardsley and they had two daughters. Being a mother and grandmother of seven grandchildren and one great grandson were a highlight of her life. Her family all benefited from her always being there to raise the girls - Campfire Girls troop leader, Brownie Girl Scout leader, Elementary School Room mother and other involvement in the local schools (sometimes to the chagrin of a high school senior who had to live with her mom showing up at school as the head of the PTA.)
Outside the home Cathy actively contributed to the community. Early on she was active with Burlingame Newcomers Club and a Baby Sitting Co-op. In the 70's & 80's you would find her actively leading some committee for The Coyote Point Museum Auxiliary and their Decorator Show House fundraising events, ultimately serving as president in 1980-1981, the year they cut the ribbon on the new museum building that is currently known as CuriOdyssey. For thirty years she has been active with the AbilityPath Auxiliary. In 2009-2010 she served as their President.
She loved gardening, tennis with her teammates at Peninsula Tennis Club, rejuvenating in the Sierras, walking the beach at Aptos and being with family.
Travel around the world was a wonderful part of her life. Sometimes to places she wouldn't have chosen but she went along as a loving partner to a husband whose career was in the travel industry.
She is survived by her husband Duncan; daughters Debbie Zeller (Bob) and Jenny Chambers (Dave); grandchildren Robby Zeller (Samantha), Cam Zeller, Nikki Rainey (Jacob), Zach Zeller, Bee Chambers, Annie Chambers and Jack Chambers; her great grandchild Samson Zeller; and her three siblings.
Celebrations of Cathy's life will take place later in the spring at the family home and in New Hampshire in July.
While Cathy loved flowers in lieu the family prefers donations be sent to AbilityPath, 350 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 123, Redwood City, CA 94065