Joan Ann Borick, most recently of Pen Argyl, PA passed peacefully into the open arms of God on April 22, 2017. Joan and her identical twin sister Mary were born on July 2, 1928 to Dr. John C. O’Brien and Mary Welch O’Brien in Mechanicville, NY.
Joan earned a B.S. in Bacteriology from Syracuse University in 1949. A career woman ahead of her time, she was employed for several years as a bacteriologist for Parke Davis in Detroit, MI prior to getting married. She returned to her career after having 6 children, employed by Union College in New Jersey, Parke Davis in Greenwood, SC and Merck in West Point, PA.
It was at a pharmaceutical conference that she met her future husband, Dr. Paul Borick. They were married May 12, 1956 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Mechanicville, NY. Joan was a committed loving wife for over sixty years, a mother who made taking care of her family look effortless, and a devoted Catholic who led by example.
A lifelong avid bridge player, she became an American Contract Bridge League Life Master in 2007. Joan competed in tournaments around the southeast, with and against some of the world’s best and finest contract bridge players. For several years, she served as a volunteer historic house interpreter for The Charleston Museum’s Joseph Manigault House. Joan and her husband spent their golden years in retirement in Winston-Salem NC, Clemson, Hilton Head and Goose Creek SC, and Lakeville PA.
The absolute pride and joy of her life, however, were her six children and her fourteen grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as Nana. She made every son, daughter, and grandchild feel as if they were her favorite. They will miss her broad smile, infectious laugh, her innate ability to listen, her graceful charm, her peaceful serenity, and the endless bounty of love she bestowed on all of them.
Joan is survived by her husband, Paul, two daughters Sheila Borick (Mark Powell) of Pen Argyl and Tecla Borick (Karl Okamoto) of Philadelphia, four sons Paul (Joan) of Clemson, SC, Jim of Clemson, SC, Ken (Laurie) of Santa Rosa Beach, FL and Carl (Susan) of Charleston, SC and fourteen grandchildren; Garrett, Arianna, Brendan, Ethan, Mimi, Paul III, Reagan, Ellie, Jay, Luke, Alexander, Katrianna, Caleb and Nathaneal, also survived by a sister Meg Dalton of Aiken SC and a brother John O’Brien of St. Louis MO and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Mary Byrne and Elizabeth Fernandez.
The Borick family kindly thanks the nurses and staff of Saint Mary’s Villa and Moravian Hall Square. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to one of these wonderful and caring facilities or the Charleston Museum.
The funeral will be conducted Saturday at 8:30 A.M. from the Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, 1003 Church St., Jessup, with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 A.M. in Holy Cross Parish at St. Patrick’s Church 200 Delaware Ave., Olyphant. Interment in SS. Cyril & Methodius Cemetery, Peckville. Friends and family may call Friday from 5-7 p.m.