Obituaries

VERONA – Jane Ellen (Gardner) Borroughs passed away June 8th, 2022, after a long battle with interstitial lung disease. Jane was born April 20th,1948, in Brookfield, WI. Jane is the daughter of William and Jane (Liddle) Gardner and was the third of seven children.

Jane graduated from Brookfield High School in 1966, and then followed a long family tradition of attending the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, earning a B.A. in Education. While attending UWP Jane was a resident assistant in Dobson Hall, thus beginning her long life of helping others. Jane was a member of the Kappa Alpha Sigma (“Snappy K’s”) sorority, graduated with honors, and earned the 1970 University of Wisconsin Platteville Woman Graduate of the Year award. Jane also met the love of her life and husband of 51 years Jay Borroughs, while attending UWP. The two were married on August 8th, 1970.

Jane and Jay moved to Madison, where Jane worked at Thoreau Elementary School having a special place in her heart for the “naughty boys”. In 1978 Jane and Jay moved to Verona where Jane worked for the Verona School District at Sugar Creek Elementary, Verona Middle School, and the Verona Area High School. Even after Jane’s children left for college, Jane never had an “empty nest” because of the love that was and continued to be shared between her and the many students that referred to her as “Mom B” throughout her career. While living and working in Verona Jane made many dear friends whom she loved like family. Jane retired in 2004.

Given the endless opportunities with which retirement presented her, Jane seized every opportunity to live life to the fullest. Jane and Jay traveled the world together, and with family, visiting Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Italy, Greece, Alaska, and countless other countries. Not surprisingly, Jane made many friends internationally on her travels. Jane also loved camping with her family in Door County, often providing entertainment and activities for all to participate in, including bubblegum blowing contests, water balloon toss, signing in the rain, enjoying the birds, nature walks, and speed walking through the Peninsula State Park. Jane and Jay also camped in many national parks making memories for herself, and all of those around her.

Jane’s true loves were her faith, family, friends, and nature. Jane worked as the Religious Education Coordinator at St Andrew’s Church and was active in her faith until her passing. Jane spent countless hours watching not just her children, but also her dearly loved grandchildren participate in athletic, music, drama, and social activities as often as she could, sharing stories about her loved ones to all that would listen. Jane also instilled in her family her love of nature, gardening, cooking, crochet, quilting, cross stitch, and most important – family.

Jane is preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws; Jay W Borroughs, Lilian Hekkers, Kenneth Hekkers, and her sister and best friend, Mary Little. Jane is survived by her husband of 51 years, her daughter Kate, son Scott (Rose), grandchildren Drake, Savannah, Cora, Alex (Drye), Haddon, Cheyenne, Liam; siblings Patricia (Richard) Rolwing, Gail (David) Olson, William (Jane) Gardner, James (Deborah) Gardner, Michael (Karen) Gardner, and many nieces and nephews.

Thank you to the UW Hospital Trauma Life Center (especially Sherry, Meghan, and “the red-head”) for the incredible care, empathy, and attention to Jane’s comfort that you provided Jane in her last days. You made Jane’s passing comfortable, peaceful, and just as she wanted; allowing her to say goodbye to her cherished family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the UW Carbone Cancer Center, The American Lung Association, or your favorite charity.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 301 N Main St., Verona, with Fr. Robert Butz presiding. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Service Verona Chapel 220 Enterprise Drive 608-845-6625