Deborah Higham

Deborah Dunn Higham, 73, a 22 year resident of Taos, New Mexico died November 24th as a result of complications of a nearly 10 year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was incredibly loved by friends and family and lived an extraordinary life. Deborah Dunn was born to Billy E. Dunn and Melba Meiers Dunn on June 20th, 1950 at the Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the only girl in a home with six brothers all of whom loved her dearly. Two brothers survive her, Jon Dunn of Salt Lake City and Steven M. Dunn of Ivans, Utah. Deborah started dancing at a very young age with the Children’s Dance Theater at the University of Utah under the mentorship of Virginia Tanner, noted children’s dance teacher. She graduated from Granite High School. Deborah received a full scholarship to study modern dance performance at the University of Utah. While at the University she was affiliated with Delta Delta Delta and was a cheer leader. During Deborahs junior year a good friend and sorority sister, Susan Nelson Williams, Miss Utah 1969 encouraged Deborah to enter the Miss Salt Lake pageant which she won. As Miss Salt Lake she entered the Miss Utah pageant and won again becoming Miss Utah 1970. At the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, NJ she won an Outstanding Talent Award for modern dance. She met Paul Higham in late 1971. In March of 1972 Paul and Deborah were married. They have been married for 51 years. Deborah was an extraordinary student and teacher. She graduated with honors in June of 1972 with a degree in dance performance. She started the Dance Program at Judge Memorial High School and taught for nearly 5 years. At the same time worked on the requirements for a Dance Education Degree and was awarded a Teaching Certificate. When Paul’s career took them to Minneapolis, Minnesota Deborah attended the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota where she graduated with honors and was awarded a Master of Arts degree. When Paul’s career took them to Rogers, Arkansas she enrolled in a doctoral program in history at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She taught AP History and Psychology at Rogers High for several years. When Paul retired as Chief Marketing Officer at Walmart in 2002 Paul and Deborah moved to Taos, New Mexico. They traveled extensively and bought a beautiful property in the Kit Carson National Forrest where they built a wonderful home, barns and corrals. For Deborah Paul and son Patrick built a large greenhouse and a chicken coop. Deborah loved her greenhouse and produced an incredible amount of fresh food. She kept the neighborhood in Taos supplied with fresh eggs for years. They also purchased a working cattle ranch near Manassa, Colorado which they ran for nearly 10 years. By far, the achievement Deborah was most proud of were her two boys, Paul V. Higham II (Paco) of Louisville, Colorado and Patrick Alan Higham of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Deborah was a wonderful mother to her boys and their many friends. They all called her Ma Higham and she loved them all. She was an active member of the LDS Church where she was dearly loved. She also served as a board member of Community Against Violence in Taos for several years and was on the board of directors of the Millicent Rogers Museum of Taos. Deborah is survived by her husband Paul, sons Patrick and Paco, 5 much-loved sisters in law, Penny Dunn, Robyn Dunn, Susan Dunn, Nan Higham and Janet Higham. Also, 2 brothers in law, Tom Higham and Alan Higham. Deborah particularly loved her daughter in law, Tori Gardner of Louisville, Colorado and her wonderful grandchildren, Mila Hazel Higham (8) and Henry Morris Higham (6). There are also many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews all of whom she loved dearly as they loved her.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com