Janelle Charlotte Borden

Janelle Charlotte Geiger Borden, 76, of Norman, Oklahoma, peacefully entered her eternal home on October 14, 2025.

Born on September 25, 1949, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Janelle was the daughter of Laura Belle (Lawson) and Albert Geiger. She grew up in Berryhill alongside her older siblings, John and Gere Sue, and her twin brother, James. During her time at Berryhill High School, she proudly served as a cheerleader for the Chiefs and showcased her flair as a baton twirler.

After graduation, Janelle ventured to Norman to attend the University of Oklahoma, where she became a proud member of Delta Gamma sorority and spent many hours at the "library" focused on her studies. She graduated with a degree in Education in 1971. Her academic journey continued later in life when she earned her Masters in Human Relations from OU in 1994, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Above all, Janelle was adventurous. Whether traveling alone or with friends, she chased the horizon with fearless enthusiasm. Her love for travel began in 1964 when her family crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth, and from that moment on, the world was her playground. In 1979, she moved to Germany with her family, embarking on adventures across Europe. Outside of England, Greece, Scotland and Italy, she visited Moscow during the Cold War and explored Egypt and Tunisia. When the kids were older, she spent countless years with them soaking up the sun in her beloved Cancun. In 2017–2018, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by sailing around the world - an epic journey chronicled by her daughter Brook in a blog titled Jacee at Sea. Her final adventure was nothing short of divine: attending the once-a-decade Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, with a childhood friend.

Janelle's career path was as diverse and colorful as her travels. In Norman, she co-owned a charming Godiva chocolate shop on Campus Corner called McBride's Plaid Pantry. Though she never said much, she likely noticed the mysteriously missing truffles from the garage fridge - because, honestly, what kid could resist?

Her calling, however, was in the classroom. Janelle taught middle school at Irving and Longfellow in Norman, where her natural rapport with students, especially those tricky middle schoolers, left a lasting impact. She taught journalism, yearbook, home economics, and coached basketball and softball. She even drove the students to games in the school bus. Her teaching career later took her to Clark County, Nevada, for another chapter of adventure.

After leaving education, Janelle worked as a Realtor and Tour Guide, famously welcoming celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Fergie to Oklahoma City and leading student groups on tours across the U.S. Her community spirit showed through her volunteer work with the Norman Christmas Parade, as an election poll worker, and as a docent at the Civic Center Music Hall.

Yet, Janelle's greatest joy was her family - especially her grandchildren. She was their biggest cheerleader, never missing a game, recital, school program, or birthday. Even in her final days, she remained deeply interested in each child's passions, activities, and unique personality.

Janelle is survived by her daughter, Brook (Borden) and husband Chris Arbeitman; son, Will Borden and wife Jodana; sister, Gere Sue Peckinpaugh; brother, James Geiger and wife Martha; grandchildren, Knox, Jacob, Ellie, Avery, Hattie, and Bennett; and former husband and friend, Lee Borden. She is also remembered with love by nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends from around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, John Geiger.

A Celebration of Janelle's Life will be held on at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025, at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the McFarlin Utility Assistance Program at www.mcfarlinumc.org.

Honorary pallbearers include nephews, Randall Geiger, Jeremy Geiger, Nathan Peckinpaugh, Alan Geiger, and Jeff Peckinpaugh, as well as her grandsons, Knox Borden, Jacob Arbeitman, and Bennett Borden.