Durango resident Arvella Higby passed away peacefully on June 17, 2013 after a short illness. Arvella was born on February 15, 1931 in Los Angeles, California. Her family moved to Florida to live with her grandparents and to find work when she was an infant. She married and moved back to California in 1952. She resided in Southern California for decades. Her first marriage ended in divorce in 1966. She married John Higby in 1969 and moved to Durango, where she supervised the building of the family ranch, "Wild Things" in the Animas Valley. For the past six years, she was a resident of Sunshine Gardens. A retired real estate executive, she and her husband owned several real estate companies and two escrow offices in Southern California before retiring and later moving to Durango. Mrs. Higby loved music, gardening and animals. She had beautiful gardens until later in life when her health kept her from "getting her hands into the dirt." She was an avid reader and loved any books on history. Arvella never turned down a chance to play cards or a board game with her family. She did beautiful embroidery and leaves behind numerous sets of completed linens which she gifted to friends and family. Arvella was an active Rotary member and Paul Harris Fellow. She attended the Durango Rotary Club meetings when her health would allow. She was very proud of the fact she was one of the first women admitted to Rotary in California. She was also a philanthropist for many other organizations, including the La Plata Animal Shelter. Arvella had a very generous heart and spirit and helped many others achieve their goals with her loving support and encouragement. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband; second husband, John Higby, II; and her only sibling, sister Maureen Moss. Her family wishes to thank all the loving care given to her by Dr. Bruce Andrea, who allowed her a great quality of life for many years. Also, heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Sunshine Gardens. She is survived by daughter, Chessa Gill and son-in-law, Jay Gill of Durango; her grandson, Tylan Gilbert of Boulder, Colorado, and his many friends who called her "grandmother"; her granddaughter, Amber Gill Whitson of Ventura, Calif.; step son, John Higby, III of Canyon Country and his family; step daughter, Donna Galli of Tonopah, Nev., and her family. There will be a small gathering and celebration of life at Sunshine Gardens on Monday, June 24, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. Remembrances may be sent to the La Plata County Humane Society or the Rotary Club of Durango.