Donna Borman

A loving mother, with a passion for her grandchildren, Donna M. Borman was an extraordinary person. From a difficult childhood emerged a talented and giving woman. She was a hard worker with a deep love for her family and her Christian faith. Every relationship was important to her.

In the 1930s, life was often arduous as the country struggled with the Great Depression. Donna M. Borman was born into this struggle on May 28, 1937 in Hinsdale, Illinois. World War II was beginning and times were difficult. Donna described her childhood as “hard times with tough love.” Two very good friends, Maggie and Norman, helped Donna through these times and the three remained close friends. Her mother, a registered nurse, and her father, a machinist, farmer and woodworker, were divorced when Donna was 9 years old. The young girl faced a difficult decision – which parent to live with. Donna went with her mother and her younger brother Dick went with his father.

Donna attended the Broadview Academy High School, a very strict Seventh Day Adventist school. Hoping to better her life, Donna left school at the age of 16 and moved to Chicago. In order to get a job modeling, she lied about her age. She lived on her own for a year, but life in the big city was very lonely and Donna decided to move back home. She finished high school attending Lyons Township in LaGrange, Illinois. Times had not improved and Donna often said these were the hardest years of her life. After high school, Donna worked at the Morris Florist Shop in Hinsdale. Her first introduction to the beauty of flowers would blossom into a love of gardening, and she would become a master gardener, with a special love for orchids. While working, she met a young student at Northwestern University named John Jellies. For Donna, it was love at first sight. The young couple dated for a few months and just before their wedding, John was drafted into the Army. The grand wedding they had planned was moved up two weeks and they were married in the Fall of 1955 in the Union Chapel in Hinsdale. The blissful young couple moved to Havre de Grace, Maryland, where John was stationed. They remained in Havre de Grace for two years and during this time their son Jack was born. Donna was happy staying at home with their son and took a part-time job as a floral designer. After John was discharged from the service, the Jellies moved to Downers Grove where he was employed. Donna and John were married 13 years and had two more children, Richard (Rick) and Patricia (Tricia) before the marriage ended in divorce.

Donna and her family stayed in the Downers Grove area and during this time a family friend developed a strong love for Donna. His name was Herb Borman. Happiness bloomed again for Donna, and she and Herb were married on April 18, 1970. Herb had been a successful football player, playing on the 1952 Rose Bowl Championship University of Illinois team, and later signing with the Green Bay Packers. Donna continued being a homemaker, raising her three children. She discovered a passion for art and took art classes at the College of DuPage. The couple had bought a cottage on Bankson Lake in Lawton, Michigan, and Donna set up an art studio there. The cottage, which became known as the Red, White and Willow Cottage, after the Blue Willow China that Donna collected, became a focal point for family gatherings. She met many treasured friends through her affiliation with the International Willow Collectors Society, at one point serving as the group's president. She also gave art lessons to the ladies in the lake neighborhood. When not at the cottage, Donna worked in her home studio, painting portraits and landscapes in watercolors and acrylics. Art had become an important part of her life. Donna Borman was a multi-talented woman. She loved music and taught herself how to play the piano. She was also an accomplished songwriter with a fondness for jazz and classical music. Her early affection for flowers was now in full bloom, both in her own greenhouse and in the beautiful gardens surrounding their home. Donna was most pleased that her love for art, music and flowers had been passed on to her children and her grandchildren. Donna and Herb enjoyed 27 wonderful years together, until Herb’s death on September 25, 1998.

For the past four years, Donna has spent time with a very special friend, Ken Kavana. Ken had been a friend of her first husband, John, when they were in high school. The two friends traveled extensively and especially enjoyed playing Scrabble and going to the movies. In spite of her difficult childhood, Donna never lost faith in the goodness of family and friends.

Donna is survived by her three children: John “Jack” Jellies of Mattawan, Rick (Wendy) Jellies of Fountain Hills, AZ, and Tricia (Jim) Loser of Lowell, MI; six grandchild: Jason, Aaron, Jessica, Jacquelyn, Meghan and Rebecca; her brother Dick (Carol) Haughey of Clarendon Hills, IL; her mother-in-law Helen Borman and sister-in-law Shirley (Carl) Johansson of Downers Grove, IL; many nieces and nephews, and special friend Ken Kavana of Burr Ridge, IL.

Donna M. Borman, formerly of Downers Grove, IL died on July 1, 2003 at her home in Kalamazoo. She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Jellies, and by her second husband, Herb Borman

Cremation will take place. Friends may spend time with the family on Thursday, July 24, 2003 from 6-8 PM. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 AM Friday, July 25, 2003 at the Betzler Funeral Home, Kalamazoo. Private interment will take place in Clarendon Hills Cemetery, DuPage, IL. Those wishing to make memorial contributions to the Herb Borman Memorial Athletic Fund or to Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo, or wishing to order flowers, may do so online using links from this website.

An accomplished musician and artist, Donna will always be remembered for her deep love for her family and faith in life everlasting.