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Patty Boruta

June 13, 1947 - May 8, 2019
Grand Haven, MI

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Visitation

Friday, May 10, 2019
5:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Scripture Service

Friday, May 10, 2019
7:30 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Service

Saturday, May 11, 2019
11:00 AM EDT
St. Patrick - St. Anthony Catholic Parish
920 Fulton Street
Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 842-0001

Friends may visit at the church from 10 AM until the service

Map

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Patricia Boruta was a natural caregiver. Dedicated and devoted to her family, Patty's presence in our lives was always a warm and bright one. Her genuine interest in carrying a conversation with others was truly part of her charm. She was a caring wife, a loving mother, and a lovely woman. We will miss her smile and her excellent company.

On June 13, 1947, seasoned parents, Richard and Mildred (Quillin) Bechtold were blessed with the birth of their second daughter, Patricia Ann Bechtold, born at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a young girl, Patty created many fond childhood memories where her family planted their roots in the NW side of Grand Rapids. The highlights included playing with her sisters and brother and swimming in the summertime sunshine. Her free time was ample; however, her parents made sure to instill a good work ethic as well. Patty learned to attend to many household chores early on in her life. She would cook, clean, and even help iron. Her family vacations to Grand Haven were most influential. Each visit to her grandfather's cottage etched a little more love for the beach and waterfront in her heart.

For her academics, Patty attended St. James Catholic Elementary. This was a comfortable fit for her and the family, as they were faithful members of the Catholic Church as well. Patty's parents and family on both sides were devoted Catholics, and this faith was most definitely a value Patty carried with her throughout her lifetime. As she continued her education into the junior high years, she became acquainted with a young man named David Boruta. Little did the two know then, their special friendship would end up lasting them for the rest of their lives.

Eventually, Patty celebrated her graduation from West Catholic High School. After earning her diploma, she set her sights on becoming a nurse. With her equally focused girlfriend, Helen Fogg, she set off to Kalamazoo's Borgess Hospital to attend nursing school. While taking to the profession naturally, she proudly and deservedly earned the Florence Nightingale award.

Soon after gaining the credentials in the nursing program, Patty was ready for the next step with the love of her life. After many years of sweet courtship, she and David began planning a wedding. They exchanged vows on October 11, 1968, at St. James Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Boruta spent their honeymoon in Hawaii, which became a precious destination forever after. Though they may have wanted to stay in Hawaii forever, they finally returned to continue finding their way in life together. David was still earning his education, so they moved quite often; therefore, Patty was given the opportunity to find nursing jobs in a variety of places. As they moved around, they made a comfortable home just being together. One particular year in the fall, they were able to live at the family cottage in Grand Haven. This was a dream come true for both of them, as their love of that area was undeniable. Unfortunately, the cottage did not become their home forever, so they settled for a time in Fruitport before moving again to Spring Lake. They set their hearts on getting back to Grand Haven and although it took awhile, they finally found their way back. They moved to a home on Emmet Street where they eventually raised their family. The one negative to living in Grand Haven was the distance it created between their beloved family members living in Grand Rapids.

The house on Emmet Street witnessed the growth of their family; two became a family of five. Three boys: David, Michael, and Patrick kept their parents on their toes. Patty's skills as a nurse transferred beautifully to her role as a mother. She treasured being a mother to three active boys and focused her attention solely on them and the family home when they were young. She was protective, dedicated, supportive, and nurturing. With her warm love, she encouraged them to spread their wings and find their paths in life.

As parents, David and Patty shared their love for places of paradise with their boys. They made many memories on their family trips to Leland; the best trip of all, however, was when they traveled to Hawaii together.

When the boys matured a bit, Patty went back to nursing full-time at North Ottawa Community Hospital. Though it was a job, she never looked at her time spent there as real work, for she felt it was her true calling. She enjoyed all aspects of the profession and even worked 2nd or 3rd shifts willingly. In her 30 plus years there, she spent much time on the surgical floor, but she loved all of her assignments. She was drawn to people and conversation thanks to her social side, so nursing was perfect for her. Patty found real joy caring for and talking with her patients. Her connections were genuine, and often she would see prior patients around town and warmly engage with them. Rightfully, Patty was the first recipient of the Excellence in Nursing Award at the hospital.

Even after Patty went back to work, she prioritized her family's needs over anything else. She took on the traditional role of motherhood for her family. This meant that even when she worked nontraditional hours, she still took time to make well-balanced and healthy meals before leaving for work. Mom always had homemade school lunches for the next day too. She was a wonderful cook and rarely needed a written recipe for any of her trademark meals.

In addition to the pride she took inside of the home, the outside of the home was equally important to her. She and David loved working in their gardens - both flower and vegetable. In 1996, when the boys matured and found lives outside the family home, David and Patty decided to move. Their new home on North Shore Drive became a favorite destination for photo backgrounds. Their yard was part of the garden show and became a special place of which they were quite proud, as it was stunning.

It could probably go without saying that Patty and David had a wonderful relationship, but it would not honor their beautiful lifetime commitment to one another. They enjoyed their time together when they were alone or with others. Throughout their many years as a couple, they loved to travel and visit with friends. Simple trips were cherished as much as the grand ones. Hawaii played a nostalgic part of their lives since their honeymoon. They made it part of their life plan to go there often. "Often" soon became several months each year in the winter months.

When Patty was not working, tending to her garden, or supporting her family, she loved reading. She was a voracious reader of fiction. Also, she was fascinated with Judaism and loved the work of Mitchner and Anne Tyler. In addition to reading, Patty loved people, and talking to others kept her endlessly entertained. She loved to tell stories and reminisce which was aided by her phenomenal memory. Another great time in Patty's life was when she and her sisters enjoyed a trip to the Holy Lands where they created many memories together bonding as adults - similarly to when they were children - but even better!

Patty's faith influenced every aspect of her life. Her strong upbringing and the guidance she received from her relatives helped solidify her Catholic faith. She continuously prayed for her loved ones and used her religious faith to direct her in life. It was the source of her comfort and strength. She leaned on this faith when David relied more on her for his everyday comforts in life. This same faith helped with her health struggles of which she had many, as she lived with pain and difficulties for several years. On April 9, 2019, her doctors gave her a diagnosis of Leukemia. In her last days of life, her family had the precious chance to talk with her and spend final special moments in her presence.

Sadly, Patty shared her last day in this lifetime on May 8. We will miss her deeply, and we will hold our shared memories close to our hearts. She is now free from discomfort and has found peace.

Patricia Ann Boruta, age 71 of Grand Haven, passed away May 8, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Mildred Bechtold. Patty is survived by her husband, David; children David (Tracy) Boruta; Michael (Nicole Gans) Boruta; Patrick (Casey Nousain) Boruta; grandchildren Jonah, Eva and Matthew; sisters Margo (Paul) Heitzman, Sheri (Jay) Vree; brother Jack (Cindy) Bechtold; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Bob (Arleen) Boruta, Chris (Fay) Rogers, Nancy (Bob) Demmink; as well as many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 11 AM at St. Patrick – St. Anthony Catholic Church, 920 Fulton Street in Grand Haven. Friends are invited to visit with her family on Friday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW from 5-7:30 PM where a Scripture service will begin at 7:30 PM. Friends may also visit at the church beginning at 10 AM. To read more about Patty’s life, to share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.lifestorynet.com

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