Beverly Ann Borgman, a longtime resident of the Monterey Peninsula, passed away in Moss Landing on March, 20, 2024. In her final days she was with her children Patricia, Peggy, and David, as well as her granddaughter Samaya.
Beverly was born in a home hospital in Los Angeles, California in 1932, to Ruby Nellie Porter and Erle Huntington Porter. Her family lived in Lincoln Heights and she attended Lincoln High School. Her journalism career began as editor of the school paper. After graduation in 1951, Beverly married Ronal Borgman. When he was drafted in 1952 and stationed at Fort Ord, the couple moved to Monterey. Beverly worked for the Monterey Herald until their return to Los Angeles.
First daughter Patricia was born in 1959, followed by Peggy in 1960 and David in 1962. In 1967 the Borgman family moved to a new home in Walnut Creek, California. Beverly was a devoted and loving mom who encouraged her children in their creative endeavors even as she pursued her own, which included writing, painting, and gardening. Thanks to her support, Peggy and Patty became lifelong painters, and David a professional musician who recorded and toured with the classic rock band BOSTON. Beverly became a successful artist, selling her work at New Masters Gallery in Concord and later, galleries in Carmel. She also went back to school, attending Diablo Valley College. She received her Associates Degree, focusing on writing.
Her career in journalism took off at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek, where she wrote feature stories and ultimately became a popular weekly columnist. She won a national newspaper award for a groundbreaking series she wrote on cosmetic surgery. Her observational humor reminded many of Erma Bombeck—who she had the pleasure of interviewing as part of her feature reporting. She ultimately wrote columns that appeared weekly in Coasting, The Pine Cone, and the Monterey Herald. She also authored a book, Mothering Heights, a collection of her essays.
Beverly’s marriage ended in 1985, and she returned to the Monterey Peninsula, where the family had enjoyed yearly vacations. She purchased a home in Carmel in 1986, cultivating a colorful garden at the corner of Valley Way and Carpenter Street that caused passers-by to stop and admire its bright flowers. She was joined there by her beloved partner David Leonard. David spent his career at the Monterey Herald, ultimately becoming its sports editor. Beverly and David created a cozy retreat in the 1932 cottage and spent over three happy decades together. David passed away at age 100.
In 2021, Beverly moved to an independent living apartment at Canterbury Woods in Pacific Grove, where she experienced a renaissance, making new friends and even falling in love again. Bob Richert, a longtime Pacific Grove resident, lit up her final years with his kindness, affection, and shared love of art. Bob passed away in late 2023.
Beverly’s older siblings Jack Porter, Bill Porter, and Peggy Richie preceded her in death. She is survived by daughter Patricia Borgman of Menlo Park and her partner Reza Nahvi, daughter Peggy Borgman and husband Mark Coates of Carson City Nevada, and son David Victor Borgman and wife Tamra Bedford of San Ramon, California, as well as granddaughters Francesca Heras of Tucson, Arizona and Samaya Robinson of Santa Barbara, California.
Beverly’s family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful staff of Springfield Villa in Moss Landing, where she spent her final three months, as well as Hospice of the Central Coast. Beverly was a longtime supporter of the Food Bank of Monterey County and a generous donor to myriad charitable causes. The family invites friends to make a donation to Food Bank of Monterey County in her name.
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