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Shirley Borges Obituary

Shirley Edda Borges PORTSMOUTH - Shirley Edda "Mrs. Broadway" Borges, 71, co-owner of Broadway Records in Portsmouth, passed away Monday, Oct. 5, 2010. She was born in La Ceiba, Honduras in Central America. Shirley came to the United States in 1950 with her mother, Ethel. They settled in the west side of Manhattan's "Hell's Kitchen" in New York City. Shirley graduated from Central Commercial High School for girls in Manhattan. Upon graduation, Shirley used her skills to become an executive secretary for Local Electric Union No. 3 and the Gruen Watch Company. In 1968, Shirley was introduced to a young man named Ernest, which began a love story that spanned 42 years. In 1980, Shirley and Ernest settled in Hampton Roads. They began a small record business in flea markets and then in 1993 opened the popular Broadway Records in Portsmouth. Shirley and Ernest especially shared a love of music and one of her last wishes was that Broadway Records stay open. In this day of downloading and bootlegging, that is going to be a challenge for Ernest, but he is determined to see her wish through. Shirley was predeceased by her beloved son, Michael "Mikey" Wilcher and her beloved granddaughter, Helga Wilcher. She is survived by her husband, Ernest Borges Jr. of Portsmouth; her daughters, Michele Del Prior and Laura Evans, both of Warrington, Pa.; her grandchildren, William "Lil Billy" Del Prior, Elizabeth Del Prior and great-granddaughter, Novalee Wilcher. She is also survived by countless friends who filled her final days with love. Shirley's favorite phrase was, "I did it my way," and as a wife, mother or as a businesswoman, she certainly did. A public viewing will be held today, Oct. 8, from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m. in St. Paul's Catholic Church, 518 High St., Portsmouth. A private burial will be held in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, Suffolk. Corprew Funeral Home is in charge.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Oct. 8, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Shirley Borges

26 Entries

ANTONIO SUNKINS

August 9, 2011

TO THE GREATEST INTATY ON GOD'S GREEN CARPET OF EARTH,MY MOTHER AND FRIEND FROM DAY ONE WHEN I CAME TO KNOW YOU MOTHER BORGES!!! MY HEART WENT WITH YOU MISS HONDUROUS HERSELF!!! MISS SHIRLEY"MRS. BROADWAY" BORGES.THANKXX FOR BEING MY MOTHER WHEN MRS. JAMESETTA YOUNG WAS NOT AVAILABLE. I LOVE YOU MA....YOU DID IT UR WAY....UR SON FOREVER MR. ANTONIO LAMONT SUNKINS!!!!

Marcus Edney

January 16, 2011

I really don't know what to say except whats on my heart, so here goes... When I met you and Ernesto (lol) I fell in love with the ultimate hustler and his wife, the boss aka Ms. Shirley. My God, I honestly can say I met an angel on Earth. I'm extremely blessed just to have crossed your path. I will ALWAYS remember the sincerity you possessed. The genuine glow and sweetness you showed us. I loved how you loved me as a son, I truly thank you and appreciate EVERYTHING! You were beautiful, outgoing, generous, loving, classy and surely like no other. I am soooooo glad I came to see you the last time I saw you. I would be so miserable right now. Even though I cry as I think of you, I'm not upset anymore because I know you are free from this place and in a new improved body with no pain, no stress, and no sickness. I love you, I miss you and please tell my grandma I said hi. Rest in peace mama.
Love, Marcus

Oldest picture of shirley. Early 1940's in Honduras

January 6, 2011

Treze Schofield (Borges)

December 31, 2010

Hey Aunt Shirley,
its been a while since i seen u last think uncle dennis's funeral was the last time...i cant believe ur gone! i noe that i didnt know u very well but from what i do remember u were always wearing alot of gold jewelery and were a funny gal. Very classy and beautiful! you will be forever missed by the family who loved you! may u rest in eternal peace and one day reunite with uncle ernest i know he misses u like crazy! love u and Rest Peacefully

December 23, 2010

Hi Shirley; Merry Christmas! Ernest misses you like crazy, but as far as I can tell he is doing amazingly well. I guess you are with him all the time as you were in life. Your loved ones think of you and will miss you this christmas but I know you will be close to them all. Thank you.
Love Miguela

Michael Yancey

December 20, 2010

Miss Shirley was my best friend. I really miss her. I wish she was here with us right now. We would really have good times together. There would be a lot of joking and laughing and good stories.

Paul Chung

November 13, 2010

Shirley your wonderful smile and warm greetings will truely be missed. Thank you for all you did for our community.

Eric Moore

November 3, 2010

I have been buying records from Ernest and Mrs. shirley(THAT'S WHAT I CALLED HER) for years. I remember when the two of them had the flea market on airline blvd. I still remember the first day I met them. I was looking for an album by the Jackson 5, called Dancing Machine, and to my surprise they had the original LP. I will always remember that. To this very day I still support the Broadway record shop, it's the only mom and pop left that I know about. I had no idea that Mrs. shirley passed away untill today 11/03/10 when I went up their today, I was really hurt but shes in a much better place. I will miss her.
ERIC MOORE

David Harrison

November 1, 2010

I have been buying records from Shirley and Ernest since they had the store in the flea market. Shirley always had a welcome smile and new the inventory just as well as her husband. I was saddened to hear of her passing. My deepest condolences go out to Ernest and her family

Roy Williamson

October 30, 2010

I have known Shirley and Earnest for 18 years. I met them when they they were in the flea market on Airline Blvd. I gained a lot of musical knowledge in those years. I also learned a lot about unconditional love and friendship too. Shirley was a great person in displaying this. From 1992 to her passing she was unselfish in sharing her warmth and wisdom. I will truly miss her.

Willis Williams

October 27, 2010

Shirley always had a smile for me and Debra whenever we visited. To look at her would always bring a cheerful moment of love and happiness. I'm gonna miss you Shirley.

Denise Borges Campagna

October 25, 2010

My favorite memories are of all of us going to central park walking around there and then going back to your apartment and you would get all your records out and we would play all of them and sit there and sing and play with peebles. I especially remember the way Aunt Shirley used to laugh at us all singing.

Amy Vaccaro (Sullivan)

October 24, 2010

I'm very sad that I have lost touch with the both of you over the years. I have thought of you both often and even though we never met in person, you both touched my life in many ways. I am so sorry for your loss as well as the rest of the world's loss. She was a wonderful, beautiful person! I always looked forward to my calls to Broadway Records for that friendly chat we would always have and have never forgotten about either one of you.

What a doll

Ernest Borges

October 23, 2010

My beautiful baby

Ernest Borges

October 23, 2010

Shirley 1985

Ernest Borges

October 23, 2010

My baby Shirley with her two children Mikey and Mimi when I met her in 1968, Mikey's first communion

October 23, 2010

antonio bess

October 23, 2010

What do I remember about shirley,hummm let's see,it was the time I took one of my friends to broadway records and she was there, her and my friend was talking about something I don't know what he had said but she had the funnyest look on her face and the look was like she had said it in her mind but didn't say it aloud but the look was like"what,or he ain't wrip to tight"man if I didn't. Bust a guat that day.... shirley you will be missed at home and at the store.....

October 22, 2010

To Ernest and Family,
With our deepest sympathy, my husband and I wants you to know that you are in our prayers and thoughts always. I remember the day I walked in your shop looking for the album EDDIE KENDRICKS (ALL BY MYSELF). You didn't have it but there was your wife Shirley-a beautiful warm (LADY) who was so warm in nature that I felt our souls connected in friendship. From that day on I gravitated to your shop from time to time not so much for the music but for the warmth of the two of you. Be strong in the LORD, for He's with you always.
SINCERELY YOURS,
Thomas & Regina Milligan (Randell's sister)
P.S. You found Eddie for me too!
Potrsmouth,VA

October 11, 2010

Last time I saw Shirley she packed me a lunch to take on my plane trip home. I checked through security and sat down to eat it and found a metal full size fork in the brown bag! Shirley had not flown since 911 and I could have been, but was not, detained! The lunch was tasty and much appreciated. Ernest and Shirley deserve kuddos for the longest, supportive loving relationship in the Borges family. Rest in peace my sister and God bless you my brother. Love Miguela

Kevin Malloy

October 11, 2010

Shirley was one of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing in my 25 years in the music biz. It's rare you find someone with such a postive outlook, everyday, all the time....

Ernest Borges Jr.

October 11, 2010

To my baby Shirley. "You were so beautiful. You were my joy and you were my life. I loved you so much. You breathed your last breath in me and I will carry it with me along my new journey. Stay with me darling. Shine your grace down on me and give me the strength to go on without you. I love you forever" Ernest

My baby when I met her in 1968

Ernest Borges

October 11, 2010

To my baby Shirley. " I loved you so much. You were my joy you were my life. You breathed your last breath into me and I will carry it with me on my new journey. Stay with me darling. I love you" Ernest

Ernest Borges

October 11, 2010

To my baby Shirley. "You breathed your last breath in me. You'll be with me till the day I die. You were so beautiful. I love you so much. You were my joy, you were my life. Now you're gone and I will start my new journey. Please shine your grace down on me". Ernest

October 8, 2010

Michele--Sorry to see your mom passed--I'll say some prayers for her and you--express my sympathy to Ernie! Bob

Debra "Debbie" Williams

October 8, 2010

It's been so long since the days of "Madison Village", in Portsmouth...where I first met Shirley, who soon became my friend. She was one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. I moved away, many years passed, yet I never forgot her. She had such a "Beautiful" and "Kind" spirit about her. She was certainly an Angel here on Earth...I Love ya Shirley...See you at the Pearly Gates.

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