Ghislaine 'Jill' (Bélanger) Borton

Ghislaine Marie Céline Borton, Jill as she was fondly called, was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.  She left this world to be with our Lord suddenly on September 11, 2022 at the age 86.  She was born in Forget, Québec on May 27, 1936.  She will be dearly missed by many family members, friends and loved ones.

Ghislaine is predeceased by her parents Adrienne and Horace Bélanger, her infant sister Marie, infant brother Jean Paul and brothers René and Donald Bélanger and her sister in-law Janette Bélanger.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Patrick of 62 years, her children Pat (Sheri) Borton, Kathleen (Brian) Johnson and Christine (John) Meeks.  Her grandchildren PJ (Becky) Borton, Jason Borton (Sean), Brook (Kirsten) Johnson, Riley Johnson (Amanda), Tyler (Monika) Johnson, Kailee Meeks (Adrick), Kyle Johnson, Shane Meeks (gf Hya) and her great grandchildren Andrew, Griffin and Charlotte Borton and Emilia Johnson.  Her sisters and brothers, Murielle (Denis) Vallée, Claire (Maurice) Guèvremont, Jacques (Danielle) Bélanger, Roger (Luan) Bélanger, André (Claire) Bélanger and her sister in-law Rose Bélanger all from Ontario and Claude Bélanger from Alberta.

Ghislaine was the eldest of ten children.  They lived in a very tiny village called Harty in Northern Ontario.  Their tiny village did not have a school and it was mandatory that all children go to school.  Her parents sadly dropped her off at the train station and alone, she boarded an old hand pump train to Hearst, Ontario.  She was picked up by nuns and lived at the convent school.  She spent four years there from six to ten years old.  Once home, she cared for and helped raise her siblings and worked as a cook in a bush camp at the age of 14 to help support the family.  She then moved to Kapuskasing, Ontario and worked at the Steadman’s Store.  It was quite a hard life, but she never let that get her down, she appreciated every moment of her upbringing and always said that’s what made her so disciplined, resilient and strong.  At 18, she moved to Ottawa and became a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Ghislaine and Patrick Borton were married on May 28, 1960.  They spent 20 years in the military and moved more times than one can count.  Ghislaine was a nurse for 25 years and a meticulous bookkeeper for a small business and their numerous businesses they owned, from a Meat Market to a Pizza Parlour, to an Industrial Laundry and more.  They finally settled in Peachland in 1996. 

She loved her rocking chair and when her kids were teenagers, the harder she rocked the more trouble you were in.  She could spend hours rocking in her favourite chair as it provided much comfort to her.  Jill also loved to cook, creating delicious meals for her family.  She was famous for her French traditional tourtière and meat spread and always made at least 24 every Christmas.  She was also well known for making beautiful roast beef dinners or turkey dinners with the works in the house on a 35 degree day!  It didn’t matter to her, she wanted family and friends to enjoy the best meal always and she ensured there was a fabulous dessert and left overs for you to bring home.

A Mass for the Repose of the Soul for Ghislaine will be held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2547 Hebert Rd, West Kelowna BC V4T 2J6 on Sunday, September 25 at 11:00 am.  Or you can watch the service from the comfort of your own home by going to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish - YouTube or www.ololwestkelowna.com.  A small private service will be held in her honour at their home in Peachland.

Jill and Pat have a bench across from Swim Bay in front of the school.  Please enjoy a quiet place to sit and remember good times, with love of course, what else.