Mary E. (Durham) Borth

Mary E. Borth, 95, of Tonica, passed away May 16, 2025, at the Arc Nursing Home in Normal.

Funeral services will be 12:00 PM Tuesday, May 20th, in Tonica United Methodist Church with the Rev Phil Jackson officiating. Visitation will be in the church on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until time of services. The Funeral Service will be live streamed via the Hurst Funeral Home Facebook page. 

Mary was born in Mendota on January 1, 1930, to Lyal Weeks and Harritt Alberta (Reigal) Durham.

She was preceded in death by her parents, all eight of her siblings, her ex-husband Frank Borth Jr, several nieces and nephews, granddaughter in law, Jessica Borth, and a son in law, James Jesse.

She graduated from Mendota High School in 1948 and Western Illinois University in 1952. She married Frank C. Borth Jr. on July 6, 1952, in Mendota and they divorced in 1974.

She is survived by three children: Frank C. (Connie) Borth III of Leroy, Jeffrey A. Borth of El Paso, and Michele D. Borth of Lexington, eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and two sisters in law.

She was a teacher for almost 40 years and was a substitute teacher for 19 years, retiring in 1995. She taught at Toluca, Plymouth, Northwestern in Scioto, IL, Tonica, and LaSalle High Schools. She loved teaching and traveling with family and friends. She went to every state except for Alaska, but did get to go to Mexico City one year. Mary knew a lot about everything because of her love for learning and Jeopardy. She used to tell her son Jeff “I have forgot more than you’ll know, and he said probably so.” She gave to her church and many charities because she cared about others. She will be missed very much by all.

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