Borden Stevens

BORDEN BURCK STEVENS

Cedar Rapids

Mary Borden Burck Stevens, 71, passed away April 3, 2014.

She was born June 22, 1942, in Pasadena, Calif., to the late Barbara Douglas Burck Dixon and Gail Burck. Borden was raised in both Pasadena and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her mother, Barbara, was a gifted musician who encouraged her five children to perform. In her younger years, Borden loved to entertain with her beautiful soprano voice and great comedic timing. Borden attended boarding school at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

After prep school, she attended Colorado College and then moved to California, where she met her husband, the late Rodney Stevens, in San Francisco. They married in 1966 and had two children. Borden ultimately returned to Cedar Rapids to raise her children and once they were grown, she returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts in social work from Mount Mercy College. After living in Cedar Rapids for many years, she moved to San Clemente, Calif., to live near her daughter.

Borden was a woman of many talents. She was passionate about the arts and enjoyed painting, singing, writing and working behind the scenes in local theater. Additionally, she took great joy in her family. She was proud of her family history and while in Cedar Rapids, she enjoyed many opportunities to visit her mother's childhood home, Brucemore. She also loved to share in the many accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters.

Borden was a supportive and loving mother, sister and friend. She could always be counted on to lend an ear and was great at cheering people up with her wonderful sense of humor.

Borden is survived by two children, Scott and Joelle; and three grandchildren, Gillian, Lily and Garrett.

A memorial service was held April 26 in San Clemente, Calif.

Online condolences can be left for the family at the following Website: http://www.smartcremation.com/memorials/4046-borden-burck-stevens/life_story.