Elaine E. Borchers

Elaine E. Borchers passed away at age 94 on October 27, 2024, bringing together four generations of family to share fond memories and grateful prayers for a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Dementia dimmed her memories but could not alter her gentle nature. Ever loving and generously accepting, Elaine lived up to her girlhood camp nickname of “Cookie” with her warm smile and sweet disposition.

 Elaine was born in Chicago on May 16, 1930, the only child of immigrant parents George Pierce (Papatheodore) of Vamvakou near Sparta in Greece, and Eloise Pierce (Hudebine) of Bonfield in Ontario, Canada. She grew up during the Great Depression and watched her parents work tirelessly in their restaurant in Chicago’s Downtown Loop. Elaine attended grade schools in Chicago, Wheaton, and the historic Seraph Warren Holmes School in Warrenville, Illinois. In 1948, she graduated from Madonna High School in Aurora, Illinois. She first attended DePaul University with the intent of teaching but returned to college in her later years to earn a BA in English at age 66 from Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri.

 On May 21, 1955, she married Charles H. Borchers at St. Irene Catholic Church in Warrenville, Illinois, receiving the wedding gift of their first home from Elaine’s parents. The couple later moved to Naperville, Illinois. In August of 1961, they moved with their three young children to Prairie Village, Kansas where they had a fourth child in the home they shared for forty years. Eventually, they built a house in Leawood featuring a dining room large enough to host their extended family for memorable holiday gatherings. In December of 2015, they joined the Santa Marta Senior Living Community in Olathe, Kansas. 

 Elaine’s interest in literature was reflected in her volunteer work at the Curé of Ars school library, participation in the Great Books program and women’s book group. She entertained the younger grades as the Story Lady with original tales acted out by her handmade puppet troupe led by the infamous “Granny Gripes.” Her word interest made her adept at crossword puzzles and a shark at Scrabble when she famously cleared her letter tray with UNICORN, earning both a double letter score and a triple word score. She enjoyed journaling and writing letters to family in the Chicago area, Canada and Greece.

 Music played through Elaine’s life beginning with childhood piano lessons from Sr. Delphine and expanding to interest in folk tunes, classical music and opera. After her children were grown, Elaine took classes in tole painting and crafted many gifts for her family and friends. She also loved cooking and baking. Family gatherings often included her signature Pacific Lime Mold, Festive Fudge or pecan pie made from Edith Bunker’s All in the Family Cookbook. Although the only coastline she knew was that of Lake Michigan, Elaine had a lifelong fascination with lighthouses. A pair of lighthouse paintings and favorite ceramic figures moved with her to Memory Care, along with a beautiful watercolor her husband purchased especially for Elaine’s interest in windmills. She studied and purchased antique glass shoes, amassing a collection of over two hundred different styles.

 Elaine is survived by Chuck, her husband of 69 years, and four children: Claudette Borchers (husband Geoff Hetley), Charles (Chuck) Borchers, Jr., Julienne Gehrer (husband Joseph), and Paul Borchers (wife Lori). She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, grand-nieces, and cousins in the US, Canada and Greece. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Charles (Trey) Borchers, III.

 The family is grateful to Christina Bertrand, the staff at Plaza Health Services at Santa Marta, and Ascend Hospice of Kansas for their dedicated and compassionate care.

 Services will be held on Thursday, October 31 at Curé of Ars Catholic Church at 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas. Visitation at 2:00 pm followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 3:00 pm. Her final resting place will be in the Holy Family Chapel at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas.

 May her memory be everlasting. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Curé of Ars Catholic Church where Elaine and Chuck were members since 1962, participating in everything from Scouts to line dancing.