Mary Borges Dias
August 28, 1925 - May 27, 2024
While in the arms of her daughter, Mary Borges Dias peacefully departed this earthly life and received her wings on May 27, 2024.
Mary was born in Arcata, California on August 28, 1925. She was the eldest child of Antone and Mary Borges. She and her siblings, Tony and Tina, were raised on a dairy farm just outside of Arcata.
Mary graduated from Arcata Union High School in 1943. She had various jobs that she enjoyed from working at the Railroad to the California Highway Patrol. But her career, spanning over 40 years, was as a bookkeeper and dispatcher in the trucking industry. She spent over a decade at Joe Costa Trucking Co. in Arcata. The next 17 years, she and her then-husband John ran their own company, J&M Transportation in Eureka. After their divorce, Mary went onto work at Customer Truck Service. When many would have retired, Mary kept working. Her daughter, Melissa, worked for Codding Enterprises at the Montgomery Village Shopping Center, and they needed a receptionist. At 73 years young, Mary was hired (thank you, David Codding)! Mary sold her house in Eureka and moved in full time with her daughter in Sonoma County. She worked at both the Village and Coddingtown Mall, retiring six years later!
Mary made her home a welcoming haven, where family and friends gathered to share in laughter and love. There was nothing better than going to Mary's for the annual holiday feast! She had four children (Art, David, Mark and Melissa), which meant she got involved! She was a charter member of the Bloomfield PTA, the president of Stewart Elementary PTA, a member of the Washington School PTA, plus helped fundraise for all her children's schools and activities. She was a Camp Fire Coordinator, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and was very involved in 4-H (not only as a Leader for various projects at the Cutten 4-H Club, but as secretary for the North Coast Regional 4-H Council, treasurer for the Humboldt County 4-H Council and representative to the state 4-H Leaders Council)! Mary branched out by joining Quota International and the Eureka Women's Club, which afforded her the opportunity to get involved locally even more. In fact, she was honored by the Cutten-Ridgewood PTA in 1979 for her commitment and service to so many organizations in her community!
Mary had many interests from gardening to sewing. She enjoyed taking cooking classes, and one highlight was a class that was taught by chef Jacques Pepin! She also travelled. Her most memorable trips were to Australia and New Zealand with friends, a cruise to Mexico with her daughter, Thanksgiving celebrated in Maui, and then fun in Oahu. And, in 2018 at 92 years of age, she made her only trip to Disneyland, to see her daughter get married!
Mary's kindness and generosity knew no bounds, and she touched countless lives with her warm smile and compassionate heart. She was immensely proud of her Portuguese heritage. Throughout her life she embodied the values of her culture. Mary's legacy of love, service and devotion will continue to live on through her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all who were fortunate enough to know her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her son David Cardoza, brother Tony Borges, brother-in-law Don Terbush, son-in-law David Williams, and husbands Eddie Cardoza and John Dias. She is survived by her loving daughter Melissa (David) Codding who provided exceptional care for Mary in her later years, as well as her sons Mark Dias and Art (Michelle) Cardoza, and their families including grandchildren Markus (Shawna) Dias, Ethan Cardoza, Rachel Cardoza, Leah (Matt) Roberts, Sarah (Robert) Torres, Rachel Daniels, Amanda (Noah) Pricer, and Alicia Musquiz; eleven great-grandchildren, her sister Tina Terbush and sister-in-law Linda Borges. Mary will also be missed by many close relatives including nieces and nephews and her long-time friends.
We would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Jose Jimenez, Jr., Welcome Home Care (with special acknowledgement of caregiver Oliva), private caregiver Charlene, and Providence Hospice for their love, support and care for our Mom.
A Celebration of Life will be held in August at a private residence in Santa Rosa (for details, please email her daughter at [email protected]). In lieu of flowers, and because of Mary's love of her "kitty cats", donations may be made to one of Mary's "pet" charities: Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County (1820 Empire Industrial Court, Suite E, Santa Rosa 95403) or Paws for Love Foundation (P. 0. Box 9004, Santa Rosa, CA 95405).
Mary, may you rest in Eternal peace; we will hold you in our hearts, until we hold you in heaven!