Mary Borwick (1919-2008)

BORWICK, JENNINGS, GRAVENHORST, RENOUX

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 9/30/2008 at 22:49:42

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

Mary Borwick, 89, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 at Taylor House Hospice. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 at Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove, with burial at Roland Cemetery in Roland. Visitation will be held 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 at Hamilton's Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines.

Mary was born July 7, 1919 to Harry and Merle Jennings in Marshalltown. She grew up in Marshalltown and earned her two-year teaching degree from Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls. On April 19, 1941, she married Arthur Borwick of Roland. The couple moved from Dayton, Dysart, LaPorte City, and finally Des Moines following Art's career in education. Mary taught school and subbed while raising their four children. After moving to Des Moines in 1966, Mary became the director of the daycare at Iowa Methodist Hospital and proudly held that position for many years, enjoying all the families and children that came her way. After retirement, Art and Mary traveled and enjoyed their grandchildren. After Art's death, Mary continued to travel, going to Paris and Ireland and loved working at her son's greenhouse (Piney Ridge) in Johnston every spring where she met customers with enthusiasm. Mary loved genealogy and was a proud member of the Mayflower Society. In 2006, Mary moved to Illahee Hills in Urbandale. She was a member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church.

Mary's legacy in life was her complete devotion to her family, especially her grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband Arthur of 52 years, and a brother, Homer Jennings of Kansas City.

She is survived by her four children, Dennis (Kim) of Cullman, Alabama, Marilyn (Ron) Gravenhorst of Cooper Landing, Alaska, Ron (Ann) of Johnston, Iowa, and Judith (Mark) Renoux of Johnston, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and a brother, Ray (Gail) Jennings of Des Moines; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.