A longtime resident of Turlock for sixty-six years, Hortense F. Borras passed away at 90 years old. She was born in Santa Paula, California, as one of nine children. Her life’s journey took her to St. Francis Nursing School in San Francisco for a nursing degree, which was also where she met her now deceased spouse, Enrique R. Borras. They moved to San Joaquin Valley seeking a town that reminded them of their childhood towns. It was here in Turlock that she spent the remaining years of her life establishing herself, raising a family and achieving many accomplishments in her life.
Hortense worked at Collins Community Hospital and then spent the next 50 years at Emanuel Hospital working as a nurse and in various directorships. Involved in business, both she and her husband were recognized as an important active part of the Turlock business community. She was an accomplished poet and published many poems that she wrote of life, emotions and experiences. She was a prolific gardener that believed in natural, ecologically friendly gardening and rarely did anything not grow for her.
Since retirement she remained active in her multiple pursuits, with a family that continued to grow. Hortense passed away quietly at home. She is survived by her four children: Letitia A. Borras, a pediatrician, Enrique R. Borras, an engineer, Laurence D. Borras, a business executive, and Daniel P. Borras, a computer analyst. Also surviving her are eight granddaughters: Jennifer, Melanie, Katlin, and Valerie of Turlock; Camille and Sarah of New York; Alyssa of Connecticut; and McKenna of San Jose. She is survived by one grandson, Evan of San Jose. In addition she was fortunate to attain great grandmother status and is survived by four great granddaughters: Zoey, Isabella, Abigail and Relena, and four great grandsons, Joshua, Jack Henry, Liam and Benjamin.
Funeral services will be at Allen Mortuary in Turlock on January 5th at 10:00 AM followed by a family and friends’ gathering. Burial will follow at 2:00 PM at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine with her beloved husband. There will be a viewing at Allen Mortuary on Thursday January 4th from 4:00-6:00 PM.
Blue Bird
Come to my window, little bird
You with those feathers so blue
I envy your freedom to fly
Anywhere here and in the sky
For you, my little bird, are free
As anyone with half an eye can see
I am envious of you with your feathery curves
No care you seem to have around
As you fly without bounds
From my prison here on this earth
I am jealous of your flights in truth
For me to fly, I have to close my eyes
And in my dreams glide to the many highs
Or in my poems, dream and roam
For with them, I too can fly alone
How I wish I could sprout wings
Soar to the clouds and see things
I envy you little bird with blue feathers
Because of you, many lovely dreams my life gathers
-Hortense F. Borras
Condolence(1)-
Pat Smith says
January 4, 2018 at 6:03 pmI remember Hortense first from my childhood when she was a young mother and a kind neighbor. Later in life I had the opportunity to work with her at Emanuel Medical Center where I got to know her better and found her to be a good friend and a patient, kind, and excellent nurse. I love that she became a published poet. She leaves behind a wonderful legacy for her Children, grand childrenr and great grand children,