Mary Catherine “Kay” Borvansky, 66, passed away July 22nd, in Steamboat Springs, CO. A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 1st, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Steamboat. As our family gathers to celebrate Kay’s life, we remember her legacy and the joy and laughter she brought into our lives.
Kay was the Borvansky family matriarch. The values of acceptance, selflessness and forgiveness were imparted on all who met her. Kay’s joyous personality, her interest in travel and her resilience in the face of challenge is manifested in her husband John and their three boys. And though Kay has passed on, we call upon that recognizable charisma that was our “Mama Kay.”
Kay was born to Catherine and Joseph Beck on August 15, 1948 in Chicago, IL. She attended St. Claire Elementary and Gage Park High School in Chicago, where she graduated in 1966. On May 2nd, 1970 Kay married John Borvansky, Jr. Their mutual love for adventure and skiing brought them to Steamboat Springs in 1972 where they made their home. The infamous “Borvansky Ski Lodge” on Après Ski Way was built by John and Kay, themselves – a home that has openly welcomed so many over the years.
John’s career as a master electrician, moved the Borvansky family from Steamboat Springs to Thornton, CO in 1986, where they lived for 13 years. During much of this time Kay worked as a volunteer coordinator for cancer support services at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, CO. In 1998 John and Kay moved back to Steamboat, and after returning to Steamboat, Kay worked as a resource development coordinator for Horizons, a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Kay retired in 2010, focusing her time and drive volunteering within the community, skiing every bluebird day the ski season had to offer, boating and traveling with her husband John. Near and dear to Kay’s heart was music. Kay shared this love of music with residents of the local nursing homes, guitar in hand, singing tunes from Bob Dylan and the Beatles to Peter, Paul and Mary and Elvis. Volunteering with local breast cancer projects and High Altitude Basketball were additional volunteer positions to which Kay was devoted.
Kay is survived by her husband John Borvansky, Jr.; her sons Dylan Borvansky, wife Marie and three granddaughters Brielle, Brooke and Tori of Round Hill, VA; Justin Borvansky and fiancé Annika of Denver, CO; Devin Borvansky and wife Lindsay of Steamboat Springs, CO; and her sister Pat Craven and family of Chicago, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents Catherine and Joseph Beck.
Kay adored children, particularly her granddaughters. She was a friend to many and will be remembered for the manner in which she embraced others with great compassion and genuine interest. The Borvansky family is thankful Kay passed peacefully. We miss our mom, our grandmother and our friend, yet we are grateful for the many lessons of life she wove within us. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Yampa Valley Breast Cancer Awareness Project.
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Obituary for Mary Catherine Borvansky
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