from findagrave.com ... BEGIN Dorothy Jean O'Connor Borup Birth 8 Sep 1916 Death 25 Nov 2012 (aged 96) Burial Mills and Mills Memorial Park Tumwater, Thurston County, Washington, USA Memorial ID 173357068 · View Source "It seems that our long gone relatives passed on the gift of laughter that can lighten the problems and cares of life; a resilience and optimism that gives us the ability to bounce back and deal with those problems." Jean O'Connor Borup, The O'Connor Family History Our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Jean Borup, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2012. Surrounded by her loving family, it was fitting that the last sounds she heard were the quiet talk and laughter of her children who loved her so much. Dorothy Jean O'Connor was born on September 8, 1916, in Seattle, Washington, to Thomas and Dora O'Connor. Growing up on Mercer Island with her parents, two brothers, Jack and David, and two sisters, Ruth and Peggy, was the beginning of her strong sense of family, one that was carried throughout her life and passed on to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all her extended family. Family was everything to her. Born into a family that encouraged education and independence, Jean attended the University of Washington and Seattle Pacific College, pursuing a career in education. This was at a time when it was rare for women to do anything other than get married and raise a family. Early in her career, Jean met Wray Borup, a handsome soldier from Boise, Idaho, on a blind date. The two fell quickly and passionately in love. On February 7, 1942 – three months after Pearl Harbor – they married. Two months later, Wray shipped off to New Guinea and the newlyweds were separated for the next three years. During the war, along with countless other war brides who took on jobs traditionally reserved for men, Jean worked at Boeing, inspecting bombers. Upon Wray's return, they were blessed with their first child, David, who tragically died in his first month. While Jean never got over the death of her first born, it never detracted from the love she had for their three other children, Steve, Jeanie and Louise. Unconditional love and support was a constant in the Borup household. Jean had an unquenchable curiosity and thirst for knowledge, which she passed along to her family. The itinerate life of the Borups afforded the family much opportunity to travel. There was never a school holiday that didn't find them wandering somewhere throughout the United States. When Wray was stationed in Germany for five years, the family was able to travel extensively around Europe. Wherever their travels took them, Jean researched the history and customs of the region, always making it a fun, but educational, experience for her family. After the kids were out of the house, Jean and Wray continued traveling with their brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, making many more trips around the U.S., and to Europe, Canada and Mexico. These trips were happily remembered, talked about and relived many times up to the end of her life. Jean's love of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews and their children, was inexhaustible. She took great joy in hearing about their lives and accomplishments, and felt the pain of their sorrows and challenges, always offering endless encouragement and support. The annual O'Connor Reunion on Camano Island was a highlight of her year. Seeing her large extended family and catching up with their lives brought her much happiness. Even after a stroke in 2006 left her right side paralyzed, she amazed doctors and physical therapists by her ability to continue to be independent. While her body and speech were affected, her brain was as sharp as ever. Laughter continued to be an important element in Jean's life. It was a joy to listen to her try to tell a joke, and not be able to finish it because she was laughing so hard. And no matter what the topic, she would have an anecdote, song, poem or quote. After Wray passed away in June of 2008, Jean could be seen at every activity that Merrill Gardens Assisted Living had to offer, impressing everyone with her sharp mind and knowledge of trivia and current events. She had many friends there and they cared for her well. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Wray; mother and father, Dora and Thomas O'Connor; son David; brother, David; sister Peggy; brother, Jack. She is survived by her children: Steve Borup (Chris), Jeanie Danielson (Jerry) and Louise Seeley (Mike); grandchildren: Erica Jonson (Clint), Matt Borup (Nikki), Molly Sjoboen (Mike), Jenna Rygol (Matt), Corey Danielson (Leah), and Ben Dion; 12 great-grandchildren; sister Ruth Carver (John); sisters-in-law Wanda Borup and Lenore Burkhardt (Howard); and countless nieces and nephews and their children – all of whom she loved dearly. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to all the staff at Merrill Gardens. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to No One Dies Alone (NODA), which provided comfort and support to the family during Jean's last days, at Spiritual Care, MS 02H09, c/o NODA Coordinator, 413 Lilly Road NE, Olympia, WA 98506. Family Members Parents Thomas E O'Connor 1876–1945 Dorothy L Lake O'Connor 1886–1982 Spouse David Wray Borup 1913–2008 (m. 1942) Siblings John Stephen O'Connor 1911–2005 David M O'Connor 1914–1940 Ann Margaret "Peg" Shore 1921–1995 END