Sharon Borgman

A loving mother with a passion for her grandchildren, Sharon Borgman was an extraordinary woman. Her kindness, modesty and quiet strength made her someone her family looked to for support and comfort, while those outside her family cherished her friendship and presence. Sharon was a ray of sunshine for those close enough to receive the gift of her warmth.

As World War II continued to occupy the world's attention in 1943, Rodger and Hammerstein's musical Oklahoma! debuted and combined the serious mood of the country with entertainment for the first time. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, William Henning and his wife, Ruth (Nequist), were celebrating a debut of their own with the birth of their daughter, Sharon, on March 2, 1943, at Butterworth Hospital. The youngest of six children, Sharon was welcomed by her brother and sisters; Margaret, Pat, Carolyn Jean, Tootie and Bill.

Sharon received her education in the Harrison Park Schools, graduating from Union High School. Thereafter, she went on to attend Marion Collage in Marion, Indiana. It was in high school that Sharon met the love of her life, Gerald Borgman, who lived next door to her sister, Jean. The two began dating in 1961, and were married in 1963. Tragically, the newlyweds weren't married long when Gerald died in a terrible car accident. Sharon was not only heartbroken, but now a single parent. The couple was blessed with a son, Frederick, born in 1964, and Sharon was pregnant with her daughter, Pam, when her husband died. After marrying, the couple lived in Indiana, while they both attended school, but after losing her husband, Sharon and Fred moved back to Grand Rapids to be near her family. They settled in a home on Pine NW, where Sharon raised her two children and remained up until her end.

Loving and devoted, Sharon was a wonderful mother. Her children were her passion and it was her mission to be the center of their lives. Later in life, when she was blessed with three precious grandchildren, Sharon poured the same amount of love into these relationships as she did her own children. Being a "Gramma" brought Sharon such joy and she treasured each of her grandchildren as another great blessing in her life. She loved to spend time with her grandkids, taking them to movies or the zoo, or helping along with their paper routes. She even went camping with Pam and the family every summer at Woods and Waters. Sharon was also very close to her mother, and for many years she was her caregiver, vigilantly caring for her daily. For Sharon, family was the greatest source of happiness in her life.

As a single mother, Sharon supported her family selling Avon Products for a while before taking a job at the Michigan Bulb Co. She enjoyed her job and eventually retired from Michigan Bulb after 25 years of service. In retirement, Sharon pursued some of her favorite hobbies, including scrapbooking, making floral arrangements, sewing, crocheting and knitting. Over the years, she made many shirts and knitted washcloths, which she sold at various craft shows. Sharon also loved to plant flowers, using the bulbs she got for free from her job. She not only planted them at her house, but at her mother's and her daughter's houses as well. Sharon was always very frugal-minded, and it took a lot to get her to throw something away. For companionship, Sharon had several cats and cockatiels as pets over the years that kept her company at home. When her children were younger, Sharon was quite involved with her church, and became a "born again believer."

In 2004, Sharon was diagnosed with cancer, but was able to successfully battle her illness and recover. In late 2006, however, she suffered a relapse and died on Thursday, March 8, 2007.

Gentle and loving, Sharon sought no fanfare, no praise or admiration for the ways in which she served others. She quietly went about her business, helping where she saw a need, and taking pleasure in things others often take for granted. In every word and deed, Sharon shared her love with her family and friends, the people who brought her life extraordinary joy. She will be deeply missed.

Sharon Borgman, age 64, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Borgman, sister, Pat McWilliams, brother, Bill Henning, and sister, Tootie Henning. She is survived by her children: Frederick M. Borgman, and Pamela (Nick) Rodriguez, all of Grand Rapids; three grandchildren: Jacob, Zachary and Nicole Rodriquez; her mother, Ruth Henning; her sisters: Jean Shepard and Margaret (Ken) Traxler; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 13, at 2 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes-Van't Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW, in Grand Rapids, with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may meet with the family from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, March 12, and for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes-Van't Hof Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan, 1260 Ekhart NE, 49503. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Sharon or sign her online guest book.