Rita “Lorraine” (Pollak) Borgese
September 13, 1934 - November 27, 2024
Visitation: Sunday, December 1, 2024, 1-5 p.m.; Devlin Funeral Home, Inc., Ross Twp.
Service: Monday, December 2, 2024, 11:00 a.m.; Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 1028 Benton Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa 15212. Everyone please met at Church.
Rita “Lorraine” Borgese, age 90, of Brighton Heights, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024. Daughter of the late Louis C. and Margaret M. (Stipkovic) Pollak. Wife of the late Sam Borgese; loving Mother of Kenneth (Donna), David (Kathy), Cynthia (Joe) and Maggie Ryan (Deron); also survived by 5 grandchildren; Bethany, Joshua, Cameron, Austin & Connor, sister Joan Paul, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lorraine was born on September 13, 1934. She graduated from Oliver High School in 1952, completed one year of a nursing degree, and then married the love of her life, Sam Borgese, on August 6, 1953 and began raising her family. After Sam’s premature death when Lorraine was 36, she attended Conley Vocational School to obtain an Administrative Assistant certificate. This enabled her to ensure that her four children then ages 17, 14, 11, and 4, would be college educated. For most of her career, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Pittsburgh in several divisions, including Plastic Surgery and Gastroenterology. After her parents passed, she missed them so much that she took an additional part-time job as a Nurses’ Aide at the Little Sisters of the Poor. Working at Little Sisters brought her joy, kept the memory of her parents fresh and enabled her to develop lifelong friends with coworkers.
Lorraine was an active volunteer with the Catholic Daughters of America and participated in her church Bible studies. She loved to garden, and her yard was her sanctuary. She was a fantastic cook and enjoyed celebrating holidays and birthdays with her family. Lorraine always wanted to see the world and enjoyed many bus trips and some travel abroad. She was committed to her family and loved spending time with them. In particular, she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren, laughing, telling stories and playing cards. She was a dear friend to all who knew her, always encouraging, and a great listener. Although she faced health issues in recent years, she was resilient until the end. She will always be remembered for her selfless spirit, ability to make everyone feel welcome, and her love for Jesus Christ. We will miss having her with us. May she rest in peace.
Visitation Sunday, December 1, 2024 from 1:00-5:00 pm at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME INC., 806 PERRY HWY., PGH, PA 15229. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, December 2, 2024 at 11:00 am. Everyone please meet at Church. Donations suggested in Lorraine’s name to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1028 Benton Ave., Pgh, PA 15212.
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Maggie, I’m sorry I can’t be there, I can’t drive yet but please know that you and your family are in my prayers.
Mona
Prayers of comfort being sent to you and your family. Your mother was such a beautiful person and always made me feel special I am so sorry I could not be there in person