Florence "Chickie" Borowiak

Florence (Chickie) Borowiak, 95 of Gaylord, passed away Friday, June 7, 2024, surrounded by her children. Born in Chester Township, Michigan on June 13, 1928, she was the daughter of Casmir and Rose (Olejniczak) Butka. On April 27, 1963, in Gaylord, she married her best friend and love of her life, Robert Borowiak. During their 33 wonderful years of married life, before Robert joined the angels in heaven in 1996, they worked together to run a farm, raise three wonderful children, and grow a strong and beautiful life together. They displayed a mutual love and respect for each other, an unconditional love for their family, and a strong and enduring faith. 

Florence lived a simple yet hard-working life. Being one of the oldest of fourteen children, she spent most of her younger years helping with all that was needed to keep a family of that size flourishing. When she was 35 years old, she married Robert and helped on the farm. Over the next five years, she gave birth to their three children. She joyfully embraced motherhood. Her sons brought her much joy, and her daughter was the apple of her eye. She was actively involved in all aspects of her children’s lives. She was the best cook, baker, supporter, and stain remover around. As her children grew, married, and started families of their own, Florence wholeheartedly welcomed two daughters-in-law and one son-in-law into her life and formed unique bonds with each. During the next 38 years, she embraced the role that would be one of the most fulfilling in her life – Busia. That role was special to all right to the end. Busia meant only wonderful things: constant hugs and kisses, endless hours of babysitting, tons of delicious meals, hundreds of yummy treats, walks in the field around her house, countless celebrations, continuous laughter, and enough love and smiles to go around. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Florence’s strong faith and commitment to her church were an important fiber of who she was. She prayed, said her Rosary, and worshipped her Lord every day. Her faith and trust in God guided her through all the difficult times in her life and will gracefully lead her to her eternal resting place. She was an active member in her parish community and volunteered her time serving in the Altar Rosary Society.

Florence loved to travel. She often traveled downstate to visit family, across the country to see her daughter, and down south to see her sister. She vacationed with friends, camped with family, and travelled abroad with her children to explore new places and make lasting memories. One of her highlights was visiting Poland, as she was always proud of her Polish roots. Florence never shied away from adventure, but it was the people she travelled with and the memories they made together that mattered the most.

Those remaining to cherish Florence’s memory are her son Jim (Lori) Borowiak and their three children: Adam Borowiak, Alyssa (Malcolm) Robinson, and Emma Borowiak; her son Mitchell (Karen) Borowiak and their two children: Andrew (Samantha) Borowiak and grandsons Blake, Caleb, and Cole, daughter Kari Borowiak, and daughter-in-law Emily Van Hoff; and her daughter Lisa (Sean) Flinn and their three children: Rory Flinn, Owen Flinn, and Aidan Flinn; her siblings John (Rose) Butka, Joan (Clarence) Wojtkowiak, Mary Ann (Hank) Gallihugh, Elizabeth (George) Edmonds; sisters-in-law Rita Butka and Lorraine Flynn; and many nieces and nephews.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband Robert; her grandson Matthew Borowiak Van Hoff; her brothers Anthony, Richard, and Robert; and her sisters Lucy, Leona, Delores, Beatrice, Dorothy, and Margie. 

Everything she did was done with love, grace, and patience. She made a lasting impression on all those she met. She was an angel on earth and now will be an angel in heaven. Loved and cherished by all, missed by many, and remembered always. As we celebrate Florence, let us honor her by working hard and gracing those in our lives with respect, patience, and kindness. 

Visitation will take place from 3:00 to 7:00 PM Monday, June 17, 2024, at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service, where the Altar Rosary Society will recite the Rosary at 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at St. Mary Cathedral where visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Burial will take place at St. Mary Cemetery in Gaylord.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish are asked to consider memorial contribution to St. Mary Cathedral School or the Altar Rosary Society.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.