In Loving
Memory

Obituary message

On September 15, 2017, Marcella Marie Fitzsimmons Borkert made her quiet exit from the Earth. The fiery redhead lovingly known as “Nan” or “Marsha” celebrated her arrival in heaven with her husband Robert Harry Borkert, Sr. Marsha was born December 14, 1929 to Margaret and Bruce Fitzsimmons and spent her early childhood in Reading Pennsylvania. She was the middle of three with a younger sister, Jean and an older brother, Bruce. Her mother passed away when she was 6 years old and her most cherished time after was spent with her father’s youngest sister Marcel (Fitzsimmons) Wilkinson.

Marsha met the love of her life while out with her girlfriends one night. She was immediately taken with the good-looking dark haired gentleman across the room, and the feeling was mutual. They were married on October 30, 1947, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. They had two children Bobby and Jeannie and raised their family in Hershey then Palmyra, Pennsylvania.

While Marsha held many jobs over the years, the one she spoke most often and fondly about was their neighborhood soda shop the Bobby Jean. Named after her children, the Bobby Jean was a classic soda shop that catered to the students of Hershey Junior College. Students loved finishing their day at school or having a post-game milkshake at the Bobby Jean. Nan could make one mean milkshake!

After Bob retired from the Pennsylvania State Police, he, Marsha and their grandson Chris Borkert moved to a sleepy little retirement town called Lehigh Acres in southwest Florida. Marsha was an excellent hostess who could and did plan and execute parties small and large. She decorated their house inside and outside for every holiday and made even the smallest event special. Her most memorable party was the annual Luau, which brought droves of neighbors and friends to celebrate with tropical drinks, a wild hog roast and the occasional drag hula dancing performance.

But perhaps the thing in the world Marsha loved most was family. She made each one of her family members feel so loved, like they were the most special person in the world. She bragged incessantly about her children and grandchildren (and even her daughter in law Jo Anne). She loved them all so much and would never flinch, no matter what time of night, to make a sandwich upon request.

Marsha will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, mother in law, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a lover of silk pajamas, sunbathing, fishing, cooking, baking, the Jimmy Swaggart channel, beer with ice, Russell Stover’s chocolates, sparkly jewelry, flowers, angels and God.

Marsha is pre-deceased by her sister Jean and her brother Bruce, husband Robert Sr, and son Robert Jr. She is survived by her daughter Jean Borkert Conrad, daughter in law Jo Anne Borkert, grandchildren Chris Borkert (Rachael), Neysa Borkert Wafler (Lance), Jenna Borkert (Joe Rasnick), Marja Borkert Roth (Jason) and Jason Conrad. Great grandchildren Berkley Borkert, Kobie, Ryah and Treyson Borkert Blair, Brandon, Raigan and Reese Rasnick and Ronin Roth.

A Celebration of Life Service for Marsha will be held on Saturday, November 3rd, 2018 at 4:00pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 705 E. Leeland Heights Boulevard, Lehigh Acres, Florida.