Muriel H. Borregard

Ruth Muriel was born December 4, 1926, to Margaret and John C Hansen, in Highland Park, IL. She graduated high school in Highland Park and was working as a receptionist, when she met her future husband, Richard (Dick) James Borregard. They married on Jan 28, 1950.

Muriel and Dick welcomed the birth of their two daughters, Deborah Eileen in 1951, and Susan Elaine in 1953. She was a stay-at-home mom and her two girls were the center of her life. Muriel provided a warm, loving home wherever Dick’s job took them - from Waukegan IL, to Kalamazoo, MI, to Ann Arbor, MI, to Hoffman Estates, IL, and finally to Toledo, OH. During these years, she became the 'adopted mom' to her daughters' long time best friends, Cathy Dunleavy and Barbara Tipping. Both referred to Muriel as 'Mom 2'.

Muriel and Dick valued education, and proudly encouraged and supported their daughters’ education choices and their successful careers. Later, they gave them both the encouragement to pursue and become successful in their second career choices.

Family has always been Muriel's foundation. She demonstrated this often. Throughout her life, Muriel cared for family members during their time of need. She welcomed Larry, Dicks youngest brother, to stay with them, often for months at a time, both as a child, while her mother-in-law, Betty, recovered from a tragic accident, and later as a young adult, when Larry was learning the family construction business. Muriel has always thought of Larry more as a son, than a brother-in-law. Years later, Muriel would travel to Florida, to assist in Betty’s care as she battled terminal cancer. She also welcomed her father, John, to live in the Borregard home for his final years, until his death at age 94 in Jan 1988. She spent a significant time in Arizona, in 1993, caring for her sister, Marge, in her final battle with cancer.

Muriel and Dick were happily married for 38 years...She loved, and provided encouragement to Dick through his 15+ year battle with heart disease. He lost that battle in August 1988 and Muriel felt she had lost her sense of "purpose". When family friends, Ed and Peggy Packer asked if Muriel would like to babysit their newborn, for a few hours every weekday. Muriel became Grandma Muriel" to Miss Amy Packer. Amy brought joy and purpose back into Muriel's life!

Muriel had many interests when she lived in Waukegan. She volunteered as a Grey Lady at Victory Memorial Hospital. She and Dick belonged to bowling leagues, and bridge clubs. Her home included her much cherished and doted on fur babies. Including, over the years, Puggy, Gretchen, Morgan, Penny, Maggie, Sasha, and lastly, Lexie, as well as numerous grand dogs and cats. She loved gardening, cooking, reading and music. She passed these interests on to her daughters, as well as the love of family card, and board games.

You couldn't visit Muriel's home without receiving hugs and kisses...some might refer to her as 'just a mom'...but she was soooo much more! Her loving memory will be cherished by her daughters as well as her family and dear friends.

Muriel peacefully passed from this life and rejoined her husband Dick, on December 25, 2024. She was predeceased by her parents, Margaret (1961) and John C. Hansen (1988), her younger brother, Jack Robert Hansen (1974), her older sister, Marjorie Violet Hansen Wade (1993), and her beloved husband, Richard James Borregard (1988). She is survived by daughters, Deborah and Sue Borregard, nieces Mrs. Nancy Lynn Hansen Dombrowski and Mrs. Patti Hansen Slazes, as well as several great nieces and great nephews.

A luncheon to celebrate her life will be held at a later date. Her internment will be at Northshore Garden of Memories in North Chicago, IL., at a future date.

Please feel free to donate to the animal shelter of your choice in Muriel's memory and thank you for sharing in her life.