Florence L. (Gilboy) Borrelli

Florence L. (Gilboy) Borrelli of Needham, January 24, 2022, at age 95.  Beloved wife of Joseph A. Borrelli with whom she shared 64 years of marriage.  Devoted mother of MaryAnne Borrelli, Marianna Borrelli, and Damon Borrelli, all of Needham.  Loving aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Born April 1, 1926 in Millis, she was a proud graduate of the Millis Public Schools, and the Framingham and Worcester State Universities.

Florence was a lifelong teacher and student.  She believed that educators and learners should always grow together, sharing wisdom to achieve their dreams.

She believed that life should be fun.  She loved her home and gave great birthday and graduation parties.  She enjoyed traveling, taking family trips throughout the U.S. and Europe.  She did not enjoy boating, but her husband did and so she went out for rides, even after the engine exploded, the boat caught fire, and the ship’s bell fell on her foot – all on separate occasions. 

Upon graduation from Framingham State, Florence started her teaching career in Framingham.  In 1957, she met Joe, becoming a Navy Wife in 1958.  She braved ice storms in Virginia, hurricanes in Florida, and long days alone when her husband was on sea duty.  A woman of faith, at each duty assignment she created a happy and loving supportive home, welcoming sailors missing their own families. She was a strong, dedicated, loving military spouse.

In 1968, she came home to Needham, literally building her home with Joe.  She was a homeroom mother, a Cub and Girl Scout leader.  She returned to teaching, now in the Needham elementary schools.  She never forgot the name of a student, going to their high school graduations and always cheering them on.  All the while, she supported her husband and children in their educations and ambitions - helping with homework, rooting them on, and celebrating their successes.  She never stopped teaching; she encouraged everyone to always keep learning.

Florence had a wide circle of cherished friends.  There were childhood friends and classmates from Millis.  The “girls” from Framingham.  The Sodality “ladies” at St. Joseph’s Parish.  The families in the neighborhood.  Friends from everywhere her family had visited.  She welcomed everyone, whether for a visit on the front porch or dinner in the kitchen.

She returned peacefully to heaven, following daily mass and with her family nearby.  Though we shall miss her, she will live on forever in our hearts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, 1360 Highland Avenue, Needham, Massachusetts, at 11:30AM on January 31, 2022. To view a livestream of the Mass, go to http://harborview.live beginning at 11:30 Monday morning.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to Mercy Home, 1140 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60607; or to the Needham Community Council, 570 Hillside Avenue, Needham Heights, MA 02494.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Florence L. (Gilboy) Borrelli, please visit our floral store.