Graveside services for Shirley Frances (Baker) Borden, 91, of Bryan will be in the National Cemetery at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. She died shortly before noon Thursday at St. Joseph Manor in Bryan. Services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan.
A memorial service will be held locally at a future date.
In this cherished photo by Stephanie Sale, Shirley attends the Brazos Valley Symphony Derby Days in a hat she made with 75 hand-rolled silk roses. Shirley Borden, with the love of her life, her husband Jack.
Shirley was born Sept. 16, 1921, in Tarrytown, N.Y., to George Raymond and Eleanor S. Gerken Baker. She grew up in North Tarrytown, N.Y. She graduated from North Tarrytown High School, where she was editor of the Headless Horseman yearbook.
She graduated from the New York School of Applied Design for Women – now a part of the Parsons The New School of Design - in two years instead of the usual three. Offered a job in the art department of Lord & Taylor, she chose instead to marry the love of her life.
She met Jack Borden, a West Point cadet, on a blind date arranged by her cousin, who lived in Highland Falls, just outside the main gate of the United States Military Academy. They were married on July 2, 1941, in his native Beaumont. They reported to their first duty station together, Fort Huachuca in Arizona.
With the advent of World War II, Shirley returned to stay with her parents while Jack served in Newfoundland and, later, the European Theater. After the war, they were stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Upon returning to the United States, the Bordens were stationed at North Dakota State University in Fargo. When Jack was sent to Korea during that conflict, they bought their first house in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
Jack retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 1961 and returned to his native Texas to obtain his teaching certificate and work on his master's degree at Texas A&M University.
Shirley spent her first day in Bryan in tears, urging her husband to hurry and get his degree so they could move anywhere else. Three years later, when Jack earned his master's, he asked Shirley where she wanted to go. She burst into tears again, saying she never wanted to leave her new home.
She became active in the community, working with Circle III at First Presbyterian Church on numerous projects. She and other women of the church hand-sewed more than 100 ornaments for a special Chrismon tree for the church, and she involved the women from several local churches in assembling holiday packages for seafarers who call at the Port of Houston at Christmas - a project that continues to this day in her honor.
She served with the Twin City Mission Auxiliary, organizing annual Christmas parties for area children. She was asked to fill in as Santa Claus at one party and she enjoyed it so much that she soon sewed her own luxurious Santa costume that she donned for many years to entertain children and elderly shut-ins.
Shirley taught a sewing class for underprivileged women that ended with a fashion show in which the women modeled their own creations. Until the last few months of her life, she worked with other women at her church to sew clothes for newborns in the community.
She volunteered for many years at Red Cross blood drives, and donated almost eight gallons of blood.
After her husband's death, Shirley filled out his term as a member of the Bryan Water Drainage Board.
Shirley loved theater and music and was delighted to be able to support the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Valley TROUPE, The Theater Company and MSC OPAS.
Shirley and Jack loved to travel, and covered much of the United States, first in a series of travel trailers and then a motorhome. After Jack died in 1989, she continued her travels, visiting Sweden, Finland, Russia, Czechoslovakia and Poland, as well as the British Isles. A highlight of her life was a cruise through the Panama Canal, with stops in Acapulco, Costa Rica, Colombia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico.
Shirley was proud that she had visited every state but Hawaii and even in her later years carried a dream of visiting the 50th state.
Jack and Shirley had three sons: Jack Borden Jr., Bruce Raymond Borden and Robert Christian Borden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved Aunt Theresa Gerken, her husband and her sons Jack and Bruce.
She is survived by her son, Robert C. Borden of Bryan; her sister, Jean Baker Wormuth of Cobleskill. N.Y.; her daughter-in-law, Sue Borden of Phoenix, Ariz.; two grandsons, Daniel L. Borden and Bruce R. Borden and his wife, Linda, and their three children, all of Arizona; and dear friends Ingrid and Larry Lovelace of Spring.
Shirley always said she wanted her flowers while she was alive to enjoy them, so in lieu of flowers, people may make a contribution to the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Valley TROUPE, The Theatre Company, First Presbyterian Church of Bryan or a charity of choice .
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Her loving family.
October 31, 2012
Robert,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
– Jan Todd
October 24, 2012
Ed and Mary Walraven
Robert, Mary and I were so sorry to hear the news but we celebrate her life and the circle of people she touched. We loved the picture of her and the careful story of her life that helped those who never met her to know her. You and your friends and family are in our thoughts.
October 24, 2012
J. Paul Teel
Dear Robert, I was saddened to hear of your great loss. To have enjoyed such a wonderful and supportive Mother was and will always be a great blessing to you and your life. She was also a great blessing to everyone who met and knew her. We will all miss her.
May the Lord grant you peace and comfort during your time of grieving.
October 24, 2012
Jason Bienski
Mr. Borden,
I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers. Jason Bienski
October 23, 2012
Robert Rose
She was a person with a wonderful spirit, a kind heart, a keen sense of humor, and a memorable twinkle in the eye. Peace be with both of you.
October 23, 2012
Virginia Hernandez
Mr. Borden,sorry to hear of your loss,My prayers are with you & your family.
October 22, 2012
Randy Wilson
Dear Robert, so sorry for your loss. You're in my thoughts.
October 22, 2012
Shervonne Davis Smithey
Robert, I'm very sorry for your loss. Your mother was a kind, generous woman and I considered her a leader.
October 22, 2012
Robert,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Peace be with you.
Peter Rocha
October 22, 2012
Tommy Bosquez
Robert,
We are thinking of the family. Our prayers are with you.
October 21, 2012
Robert,
I am sorry for you loss. Your mother's legacy in our community, as much as anything, is the child she inspired and nurtured.
Allen Segal
October 21, 2012
Kandy Rose
The young women in B-CS have an example in Shirley's life of a wonderful wife, mother, and someone who used her remarkable talents throughout her life to help others. She was a highly intelligent and compassionate person. Shirley was my model and mentor, and I will miss her greatly.
Much love, Robert.
October 20, 2012
Debbie &Justin Olexey
Robert , we are very sorry for your loss. Justin and I got to know you and your Mother , when Justin was a member of Brazos Valley Troupe.She was an awesome lady and I know you will miss her terribly.Heaven now has a new Angel who can sew some Beautiful robes.Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of saddness. Justin and Debbie Olexey
October 20, 2012
Amy McMullen
I am glad I had the opportunity to know Shirley when she lived at SJManor. At Sunday morning chapel I noticed how much she liked to participate in the worship service. If the songleader asked,"What are we thankful for today?" she would answer "I'm thankful for my health and that I am able to BE here." She liked to choose one of her favorite hymns for the group to sing. Once she told us that everybody ought to take the time to greet people, call them by name, or at least nod at them. She felt the world would be a nicer place if folks would yake the time to say "Hi" to others. That Sunday I was glad we had Shirley's heartfelt reminder that we all could be a little friendlier if we made the effort.
October 20, 2012
Prayers to the family....Mrs.Shirley was full of wonderful stories and knowledge...It was my great pleasure to have gotten to know her for a short time....
Iris...SJManor driver
October 20, 2012
I will miss seeing her at local theatrical and musical performances. I loved reading of her interesting life. Thanks for sharing that with us. I'm sorry for your loss Robert.
October 19, 2012
Joan Lovelace
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
October 19, 2012
ingrid lovelace
Rest in Peace dear friend.
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