Judy Ellen Borninski

Judy Ellen (Smith) Borninski, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, passed away on November 30, 2025, at the age of 85. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1940, the daughter of the late Evelyn (Gehling) and the late Bill Smith. Two months premature, she was so small that she could fit in the palm of her father's hand. Oftentimes, a baby that size in those days didn't make it, but Judy showed her strong spirit right from the start.

She grew up in Detroit as the second of four children-alongside her siblings Sharon, Bill, and Bob-attended Immaculata High School, and went on to take secretarial courses at the University of Detroit, where she met her husband, Edward (who passed away in 2016). She later worked as an executive assistant at Ford Motor Company while Ed worked his way through dental school and residency. Together, they built a beautiful life full of family, friends, and adventure.

Judy found joy in life through music, dancing, nature, hiking, reading, planting flowers in the spring, traveling, and learning, but her greatest joy was always her family. She loved a good sock hop, enjoyed singing in the car to whatever was current on the radio, and hummed silly little tunes while she worked. She gave the best back scratches, cooked a mean meatloaf and a delicious banana bread, and cherished every opportunity to sit on the floor playing games with her grandchildren. She will be remembered most for the way she loved us all-unconditionally, and with her whole heart.

Judy is survived by her loving children, Karen (Jim) Revenaugh; Tom (Kate) Borninski; Jim (Dana) Borninski; Sarah (Charlie) Beatty; and Mary (Jim) Hood; her treasured grandchildren, Ned (Lauren), Jeslyn, Rowan, Jordan (Bobby), Nicholas, Thomas, Ryan, Colin, Andrew, Emma, Evelyn, and Patrick; dear sibling, Bob (Belle) Smith; and by brother-in-law, Fred, the widower of her sister Sharon.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Borninski; by her parents, Evelyn (Gehling) and Bill Smith; by her sister Sharon; and by her brother Bill and his wife Lynn.

A visitation will take place on Friday, December 19, from 2:00–8:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. time-of-sharing-stories service, at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 20, at 10:00 a.m. (in state at 9:30 a.m.) in the Stone Chapel of St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church, 2215 Opdyke Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.

Following the service, the immediate family will meet at the front gate of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, where a private committal prayer and burial will take place.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Guardian Angel Hospice, 715 Northfield Dr. Rochester Hills, MI 48309 (please write Judy Borninski on memo line of check) or the Alzheimer's Association in Judy's honor.

Please keep Judy and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.