Edith Borda Higgins Dimmler

1921 - 2016

Edith Borda Higgins Dimmler

November 12, 1921 – May 6, 2016

Born in San Francisco, California on November 12, 1921 to the late Ignacio Borda and Ruthven Waterman, Edith passed away peacefully in Alameda on May 6, 2016. She is survived by her children Sally Higgins Long, Laurie Higgins Fries, James W. Higgins Jr., Charles L. Dimmler III, Martha Dimmler Cooper, Mary Dimmler Foley, Susan Dimmler Silva, and Laura Dimmler, and by her grandchildren Matthew R. Long, Jennifer Long George, Tracey Long Rogoff, Kenneth Foudy, Carrie Foudy, Daniel Foudy, Charles L. Dimmler IV, Rebeca Dimmler, Gary Fries MD, Erika Dimmler, Jennifer Dimmler Baytosh, and Robyn Dimmler Crymins. She is also survived by 22 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husbands James W. Higgins Sr. and Charles L. Dimmler II MD.

Edith's father, Ignacio Borda, served in World War I as a secret courier on the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia. He was also CEO of Okanite Cable Company and traces his heritage to the famous Mexican silver miner of the 1700s, Jose De La Borda. Edith's mother, Ruthven W. Borda, was a school teacher, and Ruthven's father was an executive with the Spreckels Sugar Company, introducing sugar beets to the U.S., purchased from Russia. She also traces her early 1700s heritage to Captain Wallace in the American Revolutionary War.

Edith was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority and the Braille Institute of America and was an alumna of the University of Oregon. She enjoyed needlepoint and playing Bridge and Mahjongg. She also knitted caps for cancer patients and was a voracious reader.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Edith's life at a Memorial Service on Friday, May 13, 2016 at 11:00am at Greer Family Mortuary and Cremation Services, 2694 Blanding Ave., Alameda, followed by a reception. Donations in Edith's memory may be made to Marin County Guide Dogs for the Blind, 350 Los Ranchitos Rd., San Rafael, CA 94903.