Herminia Basilan Digges: Dec. 23, 1944 – Jan. 14, 2021

Herminia Basilan Digges was born in Carigara, Leyte, Philippines on Dec. 23, 1944 to Domingo and Victoriana Basilan and left to join her Lord on Jan. 14, 2021.

Most people knew her as Amy.

Amy is survived by her husband of 48 years, Dennis Digges (U.S. Navy retired); daughter Stacy Willoughby and her husband Rick Willoughby; son Loren Digges and his wife Sarah Clem Digges; son Ryan Digges and his partner Cameron Brodeur; four grandchildren, Matt Willoughby, Quincy Eggert, Jade Digges and Clementine Digges; and one great-grandson, Owen Willoughby.

In addition to her family in the United States, Amy is survived by sisters Angelina Basilan and Petranella Rivera and brother Dr. Teodoro Basilan, who all reside in the Philippines.

Amy proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1977. Amy loved to give her time for those she loved. She volunteered in the schools for her children and was very active in the church and community. As a U.S. Navy spouse, she had the privilege to live abroad. She helped start the Filipino American Association in Gaeta, Italy, serving as a Philippine Folk Dancer and in many other roles to support Navy personnel and dependents in the Sixth Fleet Flagship Community while living in Italy.

Amy was a founding member of the Flores de Mayo celebration in Oak Harbor, Wash., which has now been celebrated for over 25 years.

Amy was an avid bowler and was well known for her cooking for large groups and being a volunteer for charitable fund raisers. She loved traveling and hosting exchange students from Japan and Korea. Gardening was a lifelong passion of Amy’s and, in recent years with her husband Dennis, she enjoyed growing a multitude of plants around the house, including dahlias they sold at their roadside stand.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, her family will have a private celebration of her life. A Rosary service will be held in her honor 3 p.m. PST Jan. 22 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marysville, Wash. When possible, her family will travel to the Philippines with her remains to be interred in her home town of Carigara, Leyte.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Amy’s family requests that you make a donation to your local food bank or place of worship.