Ida Mae Canterbury Highlander

Ida Mae Highlander (nee Canterbury) of San Jose, California, died February 23, 2021, just a month short of her 81^st birthday.

A Celebration of Life for Ida and her husband, Bill Highlander, will be held on March 26th at the Silver Creek Valley County Club at 1 pm. Ida and Bill will be buried together at a funeral service on June 7th at Arlington National Cemetery.  

Ida Mae Canterbury was born March 19, 1940, in Beckley, West Virginia, to Othur Clarence and Ruby Canterbury. Ida had an older brother, O.C., and two older sisters, Betty Jane and Jo Ann.

Ida attended Woodrow Wilson High School and was engaged with many school activities. She played flute in the band, twirled school banners as a flag girl, and was crowned prom queen, Miss Flying Eagle. After high school graduation, Ida enrolled in Marshall University in Huntington, WV, to study medical technology. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and graduated in 1964.

She worked as a medical technologist and scientist for many years and later returned to school and earned a master’s degree in Counseling and Education from Old Dominion University.

Ida was married to Bill Highlander on June 26, 1965, and before her death, they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. She is survived by daughter Alison, son-in-law Jonathan Curtis, and two grandchildren, Rylee and William Curtis.
 
Ida had a passion for the arts and was a talented painter who filled her home with the art she created. She believed in the importance of art and theatre in a community and worked to support the San Jose Repertory Theatre and San Jose Symphony. She enjoyed playing bridge, golf, and was a member of the SCVCC Women’s Club for many years. 
 
A loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother who was beautiful in every way.