Mary R. Borland

Funeral Celebration of Life Services for Mary Borland, 86, of Lenox, who passed away Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at the Ritchie Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to her church or Every Step Hospice. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox where we “Celebrate Life.”

Mary Rebecca (Lockhart) Borland was born Aug. 8, 1937, to Thomas Jefferson and Alice Louise (Bolte) Lockhart at home in Taylor County.

At the age of 2, the family moved to a home east of Lenox where she resided through high school. While at home she helped with the usual farm work, gardening and helping her mother and sister in the house. To earn spending money, she de-tasseled seed corn, walked beans and rode blue grass strippers, bagging the seed while trying to avoid thistles and snakes.

While growing up she was a member of Prairie Star Church in rural Kent, she taught Sunday School, Summer Bible school and was a part-time piano player for church. She later transferred her membership to the Lenox Presbyterian Church, and served as a church elder. She belonged to Platte Peppy Pals girl’s 4-H Club and Calvary Go Getters boy’s 4-H club exhibiting at the Taylor County Fair and was elected Taylor County girl’s 4-H president in 1956.

She attended rural school at Platte #1 through the sixth grade. Due to small enrollment the school was closed and the students attended Lenox Independent School. Mary was the salutatorian of her 8th grade graduating class. Mary graduated from Lenox High School in 1956. During her high school years, she was president of her senior class and participated in many activities including co-editor of the annual staff and she played on the first girls’ softball team for Lenox High School in 1956.

After high school graduation, Mary, along with several of her class members, went to Omaha and attended the Business Education School. In 1957, Mary and friend Carol Campbell moved to Denver, Colorado, and worked for Western Electric.

After returning home she married John William Borland July 27, 1958, at the Prairie Star Church. They were married 52 years before John’s passing in 2010. Since John was still in the Army, they moved to Washington to finish his tour. Coming back to settle in Lenox, three children were born: John Thomas, Debra Catherine and Thomas John.

Mary was employed as a secretary at Lenox Community School District for 31 years. After retirement from the school, Mary worked part-time as secretary for the Lenox Chamber for several years. She took great pride in being a life-long member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Mary was preceded in death by husband, John W. Borland; mother, Alice (Bolte) Lockhart; father, Thomas Lockhart; sister, Mercedes (Lockhart) Richarte and brother, Robert Lockhart.

Mary is survived by her loving children and family: John T. (Carole) Borland, Deb (Chuck) Reed and Tom (Paula) Borland; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.

We will forever hold the precious memory of Mary in our hearts. May she be at peace in God’s loving care.