Obituary of Ada Catherine Borbath
BORBATH,
With saddened hearts we mourn the loss of our wife, daughter, sister and aunt. Ada is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, John. Her mother Nellie, who is 102, will miss her dearly. Lovingly remembered by her sister Joanne (Orest) Shypowskyj, her brothers John (Michelle) and Albert (Carol) and many nieces and nephews. Ada will also be missed by the Dickinson clan. She was predeceased by her father Adrian and her sister Cathy Kerklaan-Gohm.
Ada was born in Naaldwijk, The Netherlands and immigrated to Canada when she was five. As she grew up, she experienced many chances to play various sports such as: baseball, basketball and volleyball. She even played for the St. Catharines Panthers basketball team and won many championships. Her desire was to always be a teacher and she taught for the Niagara Catholic School Board for 32 years. She was a devoted teacher and through her unique methods in Math, Science and Physical Education she encouraged many young girls to get into these fields. Ada loved gardening wholeheartedly, and could even give you the Latin names of all the species. She was an avid painter, who would paint a scene from each of our many travels that were eventually mounted into a shadow box. Her favourite hobby was organizing and scrapbooking photo albums so the history of our family would be carried on. After retirement, travelling became a passion and we made sure we saw all ten provinces as well as foreign countries. Her vivacious smile and friendly presence will certainly be missed. We love you Ada, always.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME,
To Ada My Love
(Written by John Borbath)
Fifty years have come and gone oh so very fast,
If we knew what lay ahead we’d try to make it last.
I first met Ada as a new teacher in 1968,
It took me forever to actually get a date.
Her smile was so vibrant it attracted me to her,
We’d laugh and joke about stupid things – it’s all now a blur.
Ada had strong family ties especially to Mom and Pop,
When she introduced me – I felt like I was watched by the Dutch cop.
We dated and fell in love and wanted to marry,
How was I going to ask her and would it carry.
1970 was our year to tie the knot forever,
In 69 I popped the question in the garage which wasn’t very clever.
Ada accepted and Mom and Pop agreed,
I was so nervous I almost peed.
Ada loved gardening and used me as her tool,
Once the garden got too big we moved – who was the fool?
Teaching together was the way we spent our time,
Sharing friendships and laughing was worth every dime.
Ada had a knack for teaching with such a flair,
Her specialties in Math, Science and P.E. none could compare.
Sunday coffees were a weekly family ritual.
Politics and religion were topics that became habitual.
It was all in fun but Ada made her point known,
It wasn’t right or wrong unless it was her own.
Ada had many hobbies – stamp collecting was her first,
Organizing family photo albums became her great thirst.
Ada had a talent in panting not in chalks,
Every trip we went on ended in a shadow box.
She thrived in reading mysteries by English writers well known,
The complete works of Agatha Christie she did own.
On Sundays crossword puzzles became our brain teaser,
Bacon and eggs for breakfast was part of this leisure.
Our trips were always exciting with little mishaps on each,
From hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, cancelled flights to robbery on the beach.
I give nicknames to Ada used in friendly jest,
Like Delores, Taloolah and Adisha – oh she was the best.
She loved the Leafs, Raptors and Yankee teams for years,
She had a chance to watch the Raptors win – she threw out such big cheers.
Ada was an athlete from early age to womanhood,
Baseball, volleyball, basketball – anything she could.
Ada like the casino and playing cards for fun,
If you ended up beating her, you better get up and run.
Ada was a kind loving soul with no hatred in her heart,
This world has lost a golden gem when she did depart.
I will miss her dearly until we meet again,
Memories of our togetherness are etched into my brain.
Ada was so strong these last few weeks in pain,
She never regretted her life and would do it all again.
Don’t mourn her death, remember the uplifting life she gave to us all,
My loving, caring, intelligent, humorous and smiling little kupie doll.
Thank you friends and family for sharing memories at this hard time,
I’ve lost my best friend and lover, too early in her prime.