Berdena Marie Hitchcock

Born near Farmland, Indiana in 1925 to Wilmer and Eunice Davids, Berdena lived on a farm until she married John (Jay) Hitchcock in 1945. They started a family in Farmland and over the years Berdena worked as a nurse's aide and dental assistant. The Hitchcocks lived briefly in Mexico City and moved to California in 1955. They lived in Bonita for over 30 years while Jay taught school. They traveled extensively, making many trips to Indiana to visit friends and relatives, as well as camping throughout the west and traveling to Mexico. Berdena became known for making Raggedy Ann dolls, creating more than 100 of them over the years for nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends. She remained a proud Hoosier and enjoyed reunions with her Farmland classmates and her many Indiana friends and family.

In 1992 Berdena and Jay retired to Prescott, Arizona where they enjoyed many happy years in the mountain forests. In 2005 they moved to Rancho Bernardo to be near their children. Following the passing of her husband in 2011 after 66 years of marriage, Berdena returned to Bonita to live in assisted care until her death on April 24, 2015.

Berdena is survived by Damon (Mary Carin) of San Diego; Diana (John Newland) of Poway; and Julie (Mark Bush) of Jamul; four grandchildren: Brett Midgorden, Nicki (Kurt Lovett), Mariah Bush, and Brock Bush, and four great-grandchildren (Trevor, Breana, Dylan, and Nathan) . She will be remembered as an excellent seamstress, cook, care giver, baker of pies, good friend and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.